Summer Solstice Sunrise and Sunset Gatherings 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 Summer Solstice of 2009.
The sunrise and sunset events will be held on both Sunday & Monday, June 21 and 22, 2009. Visitors for the sunrise viewing should arrive at 5:00 a.m., and visitors for the sunset viewing should arrive at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. These gatherings celebrate the Solstice, 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 Summer Solstice is 1:46 a.m. EDT early on June 21. For those interested in learning about the sky, there will be a presentation which will include the significance of the solstices & equinoxes, 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 & Callanish. 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, and be prepared for cool temperatures wet ground. The gatherings typically last 1 hour, and are held in all weather except rain.
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.