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| Xochicalco Solar Observatory During Solar Equinox |
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Xochicalco Solar Observatory:The Solar Observatory of Xochicalco is something to behold. It is a natural cave that has been carved out by hand also. During two seasons every year, for two days each season, as the sun passes through its zenith, on May 14th and 15th and again on July 28th and 29th, a very strong ray of sunlight passes through a narrow shaft in the ceiling of the observatory to the floor. When you place your arm through the ray of light it is said that you can see your skeleton on the cave floor. (Actually it is the umbra and pre umbra of your shadow that creates this illusion.) During other periods of the year light can be seen coming through the shaft but it is not as intense as during equinox.
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| Caves To The Solar Observatory | Steps Up To The Observatory Door |
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| This Cave Takes Us Into The Solar Observatory | Louis Vasquez Our Guide Into The Darkness |
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| Louis Says, "Follow Me!" | We Are Into The Cave |
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| OK! Into The Darkness We Go! | The Cave Wall |
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| This Is A Large Cave | Under The Pyramids Above |
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| Did You See The Light? Coming Down The Solar Shaft! | Area Under The Solar Shaft |
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| Antonio Iriondo Shows Us Where To Stand | The Light Shows Up Here |
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| The Light Shines On The Floor | Antonio Iriondo Demonstrates The Solar Shaft |
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Xochicalco Archaeological Ruins Page One
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Xochicalco Archaeological Ruins Page Two
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Xochicalco Museum Page
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