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Questions from the first part of the class, to be covered on Exam #2.

(46)

Explain how monuments like Stonehenge or Newgrange may have helped ancient cultures establish a calendar. Why do we think in these cases that the observed alignments are intentional rather than coincidental?

(47)

Describe the sun dagger phenomenon in Chaco Canyon in the southwestern United States. Draw a diagram of the different light and shadow patterns seen on the solstices and equinoxes. The video I showed in class is http://accad.osu.edu/~aprice/works/sundagger/index.html.

(48)

Two of the most easily recognizable constellations that are up in the sky at this time of year are Leo and Orion. Find the following information about these two constellations:

• Approximate location in the evening sky this month, based on the star chart in your book for Jan/Feb/Mar (rough altitude and azimuth),
• star chart (sketch of the pattern of the 6-8 brightest stars and connecting lines that make up the constellation),
• name of the two stars designated alpha and beta (usually the two brightest),
• 2-3 sentence summary of the mythology behind the constellation.

This is pretty easy to find on the web. A good place to go for mythology is http://www.emufarm.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.html, but remember to keep your summary fairly short so it is easy to remember the most important parts. A good place to go for simple star charts is http://www.dibonsmith.com/constel.htm. For star names and other information, try http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/constellations/. To find the approximate altitude and azimuth (azimuth means direction along the horizon, like northeast, south, west, etc), you should use the star chart as indicated, but you may also consult the Starry Night software that comes with your book (this is also installed on the computers in the Astronomy lab, which you can use if you finish early in lab) ***OR*** go outside and *FIND* them with your own two eyes on a clear night (all are easily visible this time of year). When you are done, go out at night and find the constellation and explain what you know to a friend or classmate. It's fun to do and easier to remember that way. (HW)

The following 5 homework questions are from Chapter 3 of the book "Echoes of Ancient Skies", which can be found in the Doc Sharing section of the Physics 20093 course on e-College.

(49)

Which celestial objects are associated with each day of the week? (HW)

(50)

What was the main divine role of the Sun in the cultures described in the reading? What was the main divine role of the Moon in these cultures? (HW)

(51)

In most cultures, the gods associated with the sky, weather, rain and lightning are male, but the Egyptians personified the sky as a goddess. Explain this difference (why the Egyptians don't also use a male god to associate with the sky). (HW)

(52)

Explain the significance of the Star of Bethlehem story in the gospel of Matthew by summarizing how this story shared ideas and traditions seen in other cultures in Egypt and Mesoamerica. (HW)

(53)

Explain the origin of the Christmas holiday. Why do we celebrate Christmas in December 25 instead of in April, the time of year most scholars believe Christ was born? (HW)

(54)

According to Anthony Aveni, the civilization that built Chichen Itza lasted until about the 9th century AD. Aveni says there had been an advanced, progressive civilization in that part of the world for at least how many years in total? What are two pieces of evidence of their advanced nature?

(55)

Describe the phenomenon that occurs at the Temple of Kukulcan on one of the two equinox days each year at sunset.

(56)

What does the planet Venus represent to the Maya?

(57)

Without any complex tools, Anthony Aveni and his students describe how to construct a right angle using a circle. Explain how this works with a simple diagram.

(58)

According to Aveni, what is the significance of the number 13 in Mayan culture? The calendar round is the amount of time it takes for the 260-day (sacred round) tzolkin and the 365-day (agricultural) haab calendar to synch up again after starting together on day one. How long is a calendar round, and what supposedly occurred at the end of this cycle?

(59)

The Venus cycle, the time it takes for the motions of Venus on the horizon to repeat, takes how many years? Briefly describe a couple of reasons why the Maya studied Venus so closely.

(60)

There are two shafts within the Great Pyramid that appear to be astronomically aligned. Explain why it makes sense for one shaft to point toward Orion's Belt and the other to point toward the meridian crossing of Thuban. (HW)

(61)

What is the significance of the 70 day time period to the Egyptians. Why, for example, did the purification of a dead body (mummification) take 70 days? (HW)

(62)

The tombs of Chinese royalty are usually oriented north-south. Explain why the Emperors usually oriented their tombs and palaces so they had to be approached form the South. In other words, why did these leaders associate themselves with the North? (HW)

(63)

Name and briefly explain two pieces of evidence (many are described) to indicate that the image in the lid of the sarcophagus of Lord Pacal at the Palenque temple is meant to represent his death, as opposed to the interpretation that Pacal was some sort of astronaut on board a rocket ship. (HW)

(64)

Though no written records exist, name and briefly explain two pieces of evidence (many are described) that support the idea that the tomb at the Irish tomb of Newgrange was astronomically aligned purposefully (rather than accidentally). (HW)