|
o
Sundial, calendar and Khmer temples
Astro-archaeology = Astroarchaeology0
Phanom Rung,
Kuti Rishi, Muang Tam and the total
lunar eclipse the 4th of March 2007
เขาพระวิหาร |
This web-page is a follow up on the article,
Celestial romp! - which was published in
HORIZONS, Bangkok Post, 1 March, 2007.
|
3 March 2007
We arrived to
Muang Tam / Kuti Rishi Ban Khok Muang late afternoon the day before the
eclipse in order or plan where to take photos the next morning from 04.30.
At sunset the moon was expected to rise 1 degree from
the centre line of the adjoining baray of Prasat Muang Tam (below).
Being the last sunset before the full moon the sun seta close to the centre
line as well.
The photos are mostly test of camera, laptop and GPS.
The synchronization of ASTRONOMIC CLOCK and the photo of the setting sun (right)
indicates that the equipment funtions. |
 |
4 March 2007
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Above: 04.42 |
|
Above: 04.54 |
After accommodating at Phanom Rung we arrived to the
decided spot on the centre line east of the Kuti Rishi Ban Khok Muang
baray (reservoir) at exactly 04.30, when the shadow of the Earth started
passing the moon.
After only 25 minutes clouds obscured the moon and no
more photos were taken. |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
|
| |
Above: Rahu and Ketu / the Dragon's Head
and the Dragon's Tail.
The
photo of the lunar disk to the left was taken the 9th of September 2006 at
02.04 at Phanom Rung. The photo to the right was taken six full moons later.
The partial lunar eclipse the 9th of September 2006
happened close to the ascending node (Mythologically: Rahu or the Dragon's
Head). The Total lunar eclipse happened close to the descending node (Mythologically:
Ketu or the Dragon's Tail). |
|
Above: The sun being
visible above the cloudy horizon.
Above Right: Eights spots of burned incense indicate that the locals
still perform worshipping at the temple.
Below left: Fishing in the baray of Kuti Rishi Ban Khok Muang.
Below right: Rishi (hermits) in a spirit house in front of
Kuti Rishi Ban Khok Muang (Lit.: 'The Hermit's Dwelling at Khok Muang
Village).
Khok Muang Village is ethnically Lao and represents a rather recent
inhabitation (20th century AD).
After the eclipsed moon set we rapidly changed location
to inside Kuti Rishi Ban Khok Muang in order to take photos of the rising
sun.
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
 |
In the late
afternoon we took photos at Prasat Phanom Rung and measured the orientation
of the 2 brick towers inside the temple walls.
At sunset the
western horizon was clouded. The eastern horizon was clouded as well and the
sun became visible at an altitude only visible through the doors of the
eastern gopura (entrance).
Left: Apsara at Phanom
Rung:
The Apsaras, etymologically meaning apsāriṇī, ('aqueous nymphs') 'moving in
waters'. In the Vedic literature these nymphs are often described as
frequenting forests, lakes and rivers...
Right: The full moon rising in the
gates of the eastern gopura of Prasat Phanom Rung. |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
INDEX
06 March 2007
© Asger Mollerup
macsida@thai-isan-lao.com
www.thai-isan-lao.com
โดย อ.ทองคำ
|
