Xochicalco Solar Observatory
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Travel Pictures And Photos

George And Audrey DeLange

Xochicalco Solar observatory
Xochicalco Solar Observatory During Solar Equinox

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.

Solar Observatory CavesObservatory Door Steps
Caves To The Solar ObservatorySteps Up To The Observatory Door
Solar Observatory CaveLouis Vasquez Our Guide
This Cave Takes Us
Into The Solar Observatory
Louis Vasquez
Our Guide Into The Darkness
Solar GuidePoints Out Cave Features
Louis Says, "Follow Me!"We Are Into The Cave
Solar CaveSolar Observatory Cave
OK! Into The Darkness We Go!The Cave Wall
This Is A Large CaveUnder The Pyramids Above
Cave WallSolar Shaft Area
Did You See The Light?
Coming Down The Solar Shaft!
Area Under The Solar Shaft
Stand HereLight Shows Here
Antonio Iriondo Shows Us
Where To Stand
The Light Shows Up Here
Solar LightSolar Light Shaft
The Light Shines On The FloorAntonio Iriondo Demonstrates
The Solar Shaft

Xochicalco Archaeological Ruins Page One

Xochicalco Archaeological Ruins Page Two

Xochicalco Museum Page

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