[UPDATED with photos and revelations from this morning’s summer solstice event.]
You may recall from my post last September that — contrary to my most-rapidly-debunked* theory — we learned that the two tall stones installed on the grassy knoll overlooking Weeks Field are aligned with sunset on the autumnal equinox not on purpose but by mere happenstance. We also learned, from astronomer @MattLister, that these stones are also aligned with sunrise on the summer solstice — i.e., this Sunday, June 20. Matt also explained in the comments to that post that the summer solstice alignment will occur not at official sunrise (5:08AM) but rather around 6:30AM, when the sun is 13 degrees above the horizon, clearing the trees on the eastern side of Weeks Field. Matt and I plan to be there at Newtonhenge around 6:30AM Sunday to see if that’s correct. All are welcome!
UPDATE: This morning we learned that:
Newtonhenge needs to be sent into the shop for alignment. On this summer solstice morning, the sun began to peek above the trees over Weeks Field at 5:25AM. That was earlier than predicted and also a bit to the left of the point predicted. At that moment, the sun’s rays did not align with the Newtonhenge stones. So apparently Newtonhenge is not aligned with the sun at the moment of sunrise on the summer solstice by design — and not even by happenstance! Today there was a layer of clouds, so after that brief gleaming, the sun remained totally obscured until…- By some miraculous coincidence, the clouds parted exactly at the moment the sun was aligned. After sunrise, we saw no sun until 6:31AM — which was indeed the time predicted for exact alignment with Newtonhenge. Suddenly, the clouds parted and the sunlight streamed through between the stones, but just for a short while. As soon as the sun passed the plane between the stones, it went back behind the clouds. So we got the time of alignment right but misjudged how high the sun would be above the trees. Alignment was not at sunrise but was wonderful to see.
P.S. It looks like the Druids were there in spirit after all!
(* My most-rapidly-debunked theory to date, that is.)
On this Google Map, the red pin shows the location of the Newtonhenge stones on the west side of Weeks Field.
So were any virgins or chickens sacrificed?
@Sallee: Not on-site.
This was really special. Thanks so much for posting this Bruce.
It was a little tricky fighting off the crowds to get a look (ok there were four of plus one person who can by, took a photo before it happened, then left…that wasn’t you @fignewtonville was it?).
But just as predicted the sun streaked between the narrow space between the two stones right at 6:31 am
I think someone should sell tickets next year.
Did any druids show up this time around?
Last September, I came by one day late but it was still exciting. This morning, I saw it was cloudy and went back to bed. maybe i will try again tomorrow and bring mistletoe, druids favorite plant!
Jerry, they are shy about big crowds, so they watched with binoculars from my backyard. Lots of oo’s and ah’s were heard. Quite magical, actually.
It’s good to have some bona fide mysteries in Newton. Like, was Curt Lamb influenced by unseen forces when he “randomly” inserted those stones in the ground?
@Paul, I’m so glad you informed me last September that Curt Lamb created this arrangement of stones several years ago (with the cooperation and machinery of Newton DPW). As you know, Curt lives very nearby, and we were fortunate to have him come by for this event and give an impromptu talk about the history of the Paul family, who donated the land for Weeks Field. Here’s a photo of the artist-in-(or nearby)-residence!
Great photos Bruce! Glad to see that our astronomical predictions panned out and that the clouds miraculously parted. Less glad that I slept through my alarm and missed it!
Somebody definitely needs to sell commemorative t-shirts next year.
Yes, but don’t include the year in the graphics. That way you can sell the same shirts year after year . . . .
@Greg Reibman – Done!
Send me your sizes and I’ll bulk order them and get the price down. $20
Now the campaign begins to have Newtonhenge included in the next edition of the Atlas Obscura
May be a great site for another Festival. I’ll call Panoramix.
T shirts have been ordered. They will arrive on July 19. Email me ([email protected]) with your size and I’ll get one to you ($20) when they arrive