THE SUNWHEEL PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUNWHEELS AROUND THE WORLD, STARTING HERE AT U.MASS.

The Sunwheel provides a gathering spot for people to learn about and enjoy the sky together.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND SUNRISE & SUNSET GATHERINGS AT THE SUNWHEEL EVERY SOLSTICE & EQUINOX. DATES OF THE UPCOMING EVENTS ARE:

• Vernal Equinox -- usually March 20
  Sunrise @ 6:45 a.m. & Sunset @ 6:00 p.m. (EDT)

• Summer Solstice -- usually June 21
  Sunrise @ 5:00 a.m.& Sunset @ 7:30 p.m.(EDT)

• Autumnal Equinox -- usually Sept. 22
  Sunrise @ 6:45 a.m. & Sunset @ 6:00 p.m. (EDT)

• Winter Solstice -- usually Dec. 21
  Sunrise @ 7:00 a.m. & Sunset @ 3:30 p.m. (EST)

These gatherings generally last 1 hour, and are held in all weather except rain and blizzards. Click on the seasons above for more information.

In October of 1995, I received PERMISSION to construct a Sunwheel on campus here at the University of Massachusetts. The OBSERVATIONS necessary for the construction of this Sunwheel were begun in June of 1996, and were completed by March 1997. These observations consisted of WATCHING THE SUN RISE AND SET FROM THE CENTER OF THE SUNWHEEL AT THE TIMES OF THE SOLSTICES AND EQUINOXES. Wooden stakes were then placed along the observed site-lines, 60 feet from the center of the Sunwheel. In addition, a SITE SURVEY was conducted at the Sunwheel to locate true N, S, E and W.

The 2' tall stones for the preliminary Sunwheel were installed at the site on May 13, 1997, using a start-up grant from the Healey Foundation at U.Mass. These stones were needed to make the Sunwheel a useful teaching tool and to serve as immovable markers of the solstice and equinox directions while funds were raised for the 8'-10' tall standing stones. In August 1999, I received a grant from the National Science Foundation to cover the cost of the tall standing stones in the Sunwheel. Beautiful stones were located at the Chester Granite Co. in East Otis, Massachusetts, a design was approved, and construction took place from Nov. 6-9, 2000.

• For the story of building the Sunwheel, click here.
• For the story of Sunwheel construction, click here.
• For the article by Judith Young, "THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE U.MASS. SUNWHEEL", click here.

To see photographs taken at the Sunwheel between 1997 and 1999, click here.

To see photographs of the tall standing stones while still at quarry, click here.

To see recent photographs of the Sunwheel with the tall standing stones, click here.