[Aztlan] Solstice collaboration

[Robert A. Benfer]

Hi Aztatlaneros,

 In some west-facing Colonial churches in San Cristóabal de las Casas,
Chiapas, the architects of the church designed them just so that on the June
21 solstice morning, a beam of light would illuminate the north entrance,
between 8:30 and 10:00 depending on the height of the dome and width of the
church. 

 Two picture of the phenomenon can be seen as first set of pics at:

 http://picasaweb.google.com/Bob.Benfer

  I would be thrilled to learn if any other churches show this, one of
several interesting light shows here (others on the equinox and crossing-day
of Feb. 4). 

  You will only see this phenomenon, which requires a domed Colonial church
with a south door whose main doors open approximately to the west (the light
impacts a special Saint on churches without doors, probably--many changes
have been made over the centuries). If you see this, in the early afternoon,
You will probaby see a dagger of light crawl up the retablo to illuminate
padre eterno or another Saint.

  Wonderful pictures can be taken with a digital camera set on automatic and
rested on a pew (if your church has pews).

 It could be the 20,21, or 22 of June, although for the light to be
precisely centered, it should be the 21st.

  All observations and photos will be gratefully acknowledged in a
forthcoming publication.

More on the Colonial Church‹Astronomical alignments project at my web site:

 http://rcp.missouri.edu/bobbenfer/index.html

New member,
Bob
Robert A. Benfer
Professor Emeritus 
University of Missouri-Columbia