Crowds gather for winter solstice at Newgrange

[barryqwalsh]

Light from the rising sun, if visible, will light-up the inner chamber

Crowds will gather at the neolithic burial mound at Newgrange in Co Meath this morning to celebrate the winter solstice.

The light from the rising sun, if visible, will light-up the inner chamber of the 5,000-year-tomb before 9am.

However the weather this morning does not bode well so far, with cloud and rain at present.


Crowds gather for winter solstice at Newgrange

 

[strollingbones]

if they gather this morning they are fucked....solstice is on the 22 nd this year

depending on time zone

Bottom line: In 2015, the December solstice comes on December 21 at 10:03 p.m. CST. That’s December 22 at 4:48 UT. It marks the Northern Hemisphere’s shortest day (first day of winter) and Southern Hemisphere’s longest day (first day of summer). Happy solstice, everyone!

Everything you need to know: December solstice 2015 | EarthSky.org

 

[strollingbones]

The winter solstice will fall in the early morning hours of Dec. 22, marking the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

The astronomical event also means it’ll be the longest day of the year for those who live south of the equator. The solstice starts at 4:48 a.m. UTC on Dec. 22 (which is 11:48 p.m. ET on Dec. 21), the moment when the Northern Hemisphere is pointed at its farthest distance from the sun.

What You Need to Know About Winter Solstice 2015

 

[barryqwalsh]

At dawn on the mornings surrounding the solstice a narrow beam of light enters the 62-foot long passage and lights the floor. It moves along the ground, from the window box until it lights the rear chamber. This Neolithic light show lasts 17 minutes.

Local expert Michael Fox told National Geographic, “Archaeologists have classified Newgrange as a passage tomb but it is more than that. ‘Ancient temple’ is a more fitting label: a place of astronomical, spiritual, and ceremonial importance.”

Magic and genius of Newgrange never fails to astound on the winter solstice