Vernal Equinox at the UMass Sunwheel
The public is invited to witness the passing of the seasons by joining Dr. Judith Young of the UMass Department of Astronomy to watch the Sun rise and set over the tall standing stones in the UMass Sunwheel for the Vernal Equinox of 2009. The sunrise and sunset events will be held on both Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. Visitors for the sunrise viewing should arrive at 6:45 a.m., and visitors for the sunset viewing should arrive at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. These gatherings will celebrate the Equinox, the International Year of Astronomy, and 11 years of Sunwheel seasonal events for the public, which have attracted over 10,000 visitors.
This year, the instant of the Vernal Equinox is 7:44 a.m. EDT on the morning of March 20. For those interested in learning about the sky, there will be a presentation which will include the significance of the equinoxes and solstices, the cause of the seasons and phases of the Moon, the story of building the Sunwheel, and discussion of other calendar sites around the world, including Stonehenge and Callanish in the UK and Chichen Itza in Mexico. There will also be an explanation of the Moon's 18.6-year cycle, also called the Major Lunar Standstill. Bring your questions, your curiosity, your waterproof footwear, and be prepared for freezing temperatures. The gatherings typically last 1 hour, and are held in all weather except rain.
A $3 donation is requested to help with the cost of the additional sitework and future events which are planned. Sunwheel T-shirts and sweatshirts will also be available for purchase.
For more information on the UMass Sunwheel, click here. For more information on the Moon's 18.6-year cycle, click here. For information on other programs offered by Dr. Judith Young, click here.
Watch a video of the installation of the UMass Sunwheel in November 1997:
Directions & Parking
The UMass Sunwheel is located south of Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road. It can be reached from the center of Amherst, following Amity St. to the west. After crossing University Dr. at the light, continue on Rocky Hill Rd. for about 1/4 mile, and make your first right onto Stadium Dr.