Sun Earth Day 2005 – Ancient Observatories
Satellite Image Gallery of Ancient Observatories Developed for Sun-Earth Day 2005
In honor of Sun-Earth Day 2005, Space Imaging has created a special IKONOS satellite image gallery of 13 ancient observatories around the world. Known for their ability to precisely align with the sun, moon and stars, these observatories are scientific marvels — then and now. The IKONOS satellite imagery captures the beauty of these ancient structures and allows viewers to see the architecture in relationship to its surroundings, creating a wonderful visual experience and providing a way to recognize Sun-Earth Day.
The development of the gallery coincides with the vernal (Spring) equinox
in the northern hemisphere, taking place on March 20, 2005. The equinox
occurs twice per year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when
night and day are nearly the same length. Space Imaging designed its Ancient
Observatories satellite gallery as an adjunct to the NASA and Exploratorium
multimedia project “Ancient Observatories: Timeless Knowledge,” which is aimed
at students and museums and focuses on the link between ancient and modern
observatories: http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/.
The 13 satellite images are available on Space Imaging’s Web site at
http://www.spaceimaging.com/gallery/ancientobservatories
* Abu Simbel, Egypt
* Angkor Wat, Cambodia
* Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
* Casa Rinconada, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico
* Dzibilchaltun, Yucatan, Mexico
* Easter Island, Chile
* Hovenweep National Monument, Utah
* Machu Picchu, Peru
* Mayapan, Yucatan, Mexico
* Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico
* Stonehenge, Great Britain
* Teotihuacan, Mexico
* Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico
All of the images were taken from 423 miles in space as IKONOS moved over
the Earth in a north-to-south orbit at 17,000 mph. Users will be able to zoom
in and out of images and explore every detail of these historic landmarks.