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Oppiliappan List Archive: Message 00133 Jun 2008

 
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[http://www.starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=specialnews&item=3227]
--
LONGEST DAY IN THE OFFING 

SKYWATCH 

Daytime is the longest and nighttime the shortest on June 22. It is also the 
beginning of Dakshinaayana (sunâs apparent southward motion). You would have 
noticed, especially in recent weeks, a gradual (almost imperceptible) change in 
the times of sunrise and sunset. 

This shift started after December 21, which was the beginning of Uttaraayana 
(sunâs apparent northward motion). On that date, we experienced the longest 
nighttime and the shortest daytime. Hence between December 21 and June 22, the 
duration of the daytime is on the rise and between June 22 and December 21 it 
is on the fall. 

At this point, I must make it clear that Makara Sankranti (about January 13) is 
NOT the beginning of Uttaraayana, and Karkataka Sankraanti (about July 16) is 
NOT the beginning of Dakshinaayana. The astrologers, traditionalists and others 
who swear by ancient tomes and related rituals will do well to open their eyes 
to the changing scenes in the sky. But this requires a deep study of astronomy, 
or at least an open mind to appreciate and follow modern reality. 

Try to mark the points of sunrise and sunset on the horizon. You will notice 
that on June 22 (beginning of Dakshinaayana), they reach the north most 
position and on December 21 (beginning of Uttaraayana), the south most 
position. 

The sun seems to oscillate between these two extremes. To know the reasons 
behind these âvagariesâ of sun, one has to observe the real sky (not the 
computer-simulated one or the show at a planetarium) first and then study 
astronomy systematically. The sky is an inexhaustible treasure of new wonders. 

The daytime and the nighttime are equal on March 21 and September 23. On March 
21, the day-time overtakes the nighttime and on September 23, the reverse 
happens. This is a celestial phenomenon we in the northern hemisphere 
experience. Hence, March 21 gets rightly the epithet Yugaadi. 

â G.T.Narayana Rao 
---


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Oppiliappan Koil Varadachari Sadagopan
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