TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR bring together weekly the best astronomical curiosities produced by the team’s collaborators. Twitter profile To spread the knowledge of astronomy, one of the oldest sciences in the world. Check it out below!
#1: Why does the Sun appear orange in the evening sky?
The scattering of light in the atmosphere plays a fundamental role in understanding the colors of the sky and explains the interesting “redness” The visible view of the Sun in the evening.
As we learned in basic science class in school, sunlight is a combination of different colors, that is, a mixture of specific wavelengths, and when it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, air particles, dust, and gas molecules can scatter this light. .
However, during most of the day, between 08.00 and 16.00, scattering is more efficient for shorter colors in the spectrum, such as blue and purple, causing these colors to spread in all directions and the sky to form during this period. predominantly blue. However, in the evening hours, the Sun is closer to the horizon and its light travels a much longer distance through the Earth’s atmosphere.
In that case, the color blue is even more common, which means that only red and orange colors can reach our eyes. As a result, we see the Sun as an orange or reddish sphere and the sky surrounding it takes on warm tones. This effect, known as Rayleigh scattering, is responsible for the spectacular appearance of sunsets!
#2: The arrival of spring!
Spring started in the southern hemisphere on the 23rd! This event, called the vernal equinox, occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator and results in days and nights being approximately the same length everywhere on Earth.
This event takes on an even more special dimension in one of the capitals of Brazil! At Marco Zero, located in the city of Macapá, the capital of Amapá, the event unfolds spectacularly for those present.
Because this monument is located at a special geographical point right above the equator. On this day, at the exact moment of the equinox, a beam of sunlight falls directly on the centerline, illuminating it with symmetrical perfection.
zero point It is a natural sundial and allows visitors to witness the precision of astronomy and the magic of the interaction between the Earth and the Sun.Showing the deep connections between science and nature in the heart of Amapá!
#3: And speaking of Bahar…
It is nothing new that humanity has been looking at the sky for thousands of years and being dazzled by its glasses. In addition to showing a remarkable fascination with astronomical phenomena, ancient people used meticulous observation of the sky to guide their lives, social practices, and religious rituals.
This fact is evidenced by various records of pre-Hispanic civilizations in South America, and an impressive example can be seen in the structure known as the 13 Towers of Chankillo, located in Peru. Built by pre-Inca people more than 2,300 years ago, these towers form a unique astronomical complex..
During the spring equinox, the Sun rises right between two of these towers, creating a spectacular phenomenon. This was not just a curiosity but also an accurate calendar tool. This allowed ancient civilizations to accurately mark the beginning of the seasons and coordinate their agricultural and ritual activities..
The Chankillo Towers are a testament to our ancestors’ impressive ability to observe and understand celestial movements and demonstrate the importance of astronomy in ancient cultures!
Always stay up to date with astronomy news on TecMundo!
Source: Tec Mundo
I’m Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I’ve written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.
