Loughcrew Equinox - September 2007

It was a misty dawn on the 22nd September 2007 at Loughcrew.

A gathering of 60 people and one dog waiting for the autumn sun to break through.

The sun did eventually break through the morning mist to illuminate the backstone.

Raymond Manley enjoying the Equinox Sunrise.

Images of the September 2006 Equinox

by Ken Williams of ShadowsandStone.com

The Backstone of Cairn T illuminated by the equinox sun.

As the sun rises in the sky the beam of light moves across and down the backstone.

Sunbeam moving from the backstone to the sill stone and the stones in the main chamber.

Light Years Ago: A Study of the Cairns of Newgrange and Cairn T Loughcrew, Co. Meath, Ireland by Tim O'Brien shows that the symbols of the sun engraved on the backstone of Cairn T at Loughcrew are precisely positioned to measure solar movement. A beam of light from the rising sun around the time of the March and September equinoxes is mapped on the backstone.

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Loughcrew Video - Spring Equinox 2005

The progress of the sunbeam on the backstone inside Cairn T at Loughcrew was video recorded at sunrise on the morning of March 23rd 2005. The 50 minute video has been compressed to 1 minute 46 seconds and included in the following YouTube Video.

Gossan Stones Equinox Sunrise Alignment

The Equinox Sunrise is framed by the Gossan Stones in the Wicklow Mountains.

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