Newgrange, Dec. 21st, 2007 (thus almost winter solstice day)

For my archaeoastonomy research, a compilation has been made of the OPW internet stream (and also broadcasted by TV3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeiULQncpBM ) on December 21st, 2007:
http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Solstice2007/

The 2008 broadcast can be seen at:
http://www.servecast.com/opw/211208/index.html
(no sunrise though)

What I did is the following to make it similar presentation* as the webcam at Maeshowe (http://www.iol.ie/~geniet/maeshowe/ ); from the internet stream four separate picture cues were taken, each produced by a different OPW camera:
. on the top of Newgrange cairn looking towards the rising sun*
. at the middle of the passage looking towards the exit/entrance
. in the centre recess [near the ground] looking towards the exit/entrance* and
. at the chamber ceiling looking towards the chamber ground*.
Other picture cues were present, but these were deleted.

Some more information about Newgrange (and plans): http://www.iol.ie/~geniet/eng/newgrang.htm

These four picture cues are presented as picture in picture; this reduces the live broadcast from 45 minutes to some 6 minutes.

The OPW broadcast was in memory of the witnessing of the sun light through the lightbox at Newgrange 40 jaars ago (1967) by Prof. Michael O'Kelly. The sun light gets into the chamber at 8:58 and around 9:15 GMT no light is in the chamber anymore.

OPW is condoning this composite video on YouTube (I got their acknowledgement).

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• archaeoastronomy
• newgrange
• winter
• solstice
• ireland

[dogsbollix]

you are a bitter little man.  for the millions who aren't permitted in to see this all we can hope for is a tiny glimpse of it. not great but better than nothing

[Liozeris]

Wonderful and Beautiful.

The Skygeezers, Stargazers and Moonbeams are all thankful for this fine little program.

Here, near the South Shore of Lake Michigan. We would be in snow up to our ankles. Except there is an inch of ice on top. -- IndianaJohn

[micksul67]

Most confusing video ever.

[sainglain]

Thanks for uploading - I've been in Newgrange twice, 1982 and march 2008 - the 21st Dec. is also my sisters birthday - J.H., an dún

[sailingstargazr]

Thank you! - Brian.

[VReijs]

This was in answer to sailingstargazr question:

Wonderful video. I'd like to know what you think, in a quantitative sense, about the actual sunrise position wrt the horizon versus the illumination of the shaft. Has anyone published the effect of precession on the alignmnet, to let us figure out what day is best for viewing an actual sunrise event? - Brian.

[VReijs]

Due to change of obliquity the sun rise would have been different indeed (it would have shown to the end of the middle recess AND at the same moment the sun comes above the horizon.

[dotjoiner]

pathetic attempt to cash in on an extraordinary event. Mind numbing crawl through a pretentious collage which is about as clear as mud. You spend more time trying to figure out what we are being shown than actually seeing something informative. Hilarious moment when several bodies stroll across the suns path blocking the whole reason for being there. Bet that was Victor Rejis himself Blockin up the passageway as he left the arena before the final whistle. "been there, seen it, gone."

[FloresDeLaPrimavera]

How wonderful!  Thanks for making this video. The music was lovely as well.