The Site & the Interim Solar Calendar Gallery:
Map of Cesar Chavez Park
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Cones mark alignments (West)
The red cones mark the spot where chunks of concrete were embedded in
the soil to mark the horizon alignments to the solstice and equinoxes.
It took about 3 years to make the direct observations (sun "rise"
and sun "set") to establish these alignments.
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Drainpipe mark alignments (West)
The next generation of alignment markers were made of standard 3"
drainage pipe. These drainage pipe poles were placed on the alignments,
for just a couple of days before and after the solstices and equinoxes.
Informational materials were made available to the public for the first
time, and seasonal gatherings began at the site.
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First Stones
This was the beginning of what has become the "Interim Solar Calendar".
It involves the installation of the first boulders to mark the western,
eastern, and north/south alignments. The work was done with the invaluable
help of the East Bay Conservation Corp and American Soil Products. The
view is looking West to the Equinox alignment.
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EBCC - Center Circle
East Bay Conservation Corpmembers installing the center circle of the
ISC in July, 2002. Summer fog is part of the variable weather patterns
and micro- climates of the Bay Area.
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Wideshot West (Season Change)
Here the ISC is in late Spring with the site looking more mature.
The photo shows the stunning view from the site to the San Francisco Bay,
Golden Gate Bridge and Marin County. The large boulders align with the
solstice and equinox points on the western horizon.
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Overhead Kite Shot (2004)
Kite view of Interim Solar Calendar site, one of 75, shot by noted kite
photographer and UCB Prof. Of Architecture, Cris Benton. The boulders
align with the solstice and equinox points on the western and eastern
horizon, as well as alignments north and south. It serves as a temporary
installation while funds are being raised for the Phase I Design of the
Solar Calendar/Chavez Memorial.
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Group Photo of typical Seasonal Gathering
A gathering of community members for the Summer Solstice in 2004. It was
led by Tory Brady from the Exploratorium Teacher Institute. She talked
about the reasons for the seasons and the summer association with agriculture.
Because of the unusual weather patterns of the Bay, the Summer Solstice
Gathering it is often cooler than the Winter Solstice Gathering.
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Framed Horizon Equinox (a prototype)
The Autumnal equinox sun "set" - framed to dramatize the horizon
alignment. The perceptual exercise here is to see the sun with "fresh
eyes", i.e., The sun is not moving. Rather the earth is rotating
on its axis.
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Moonrise
Full moon "rise" at the site on October 8, 2003. The site readily
lends itself each month to what is often a dramatic convergence of a sun
"set" in the west and a full moon "rise" in the east
within minutes of one another. Sometimes the convergence is simultaneous.
This is another opportunity to see the moon with fresh eyes, i.e., the
earth is rotating on its axis rather than the moon "rising."
The photo also shows the highway, urban development, and light pollution
that will be largely blocked out once the earthen berms are installed.
The berms will be at the height of the sun shadow line across the East
Bay hills - right at the base of the Campanile Tower on the Univ. of Calif.
Campus.
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Service for Peace / East Bay Conservation Corp (EBCC)
Bill Richie, EBCC, supervises Service For Peace volunteers who put in
many Saturdays mornings over three months to rebuild the small earthen
berms and install a new center gnomon.
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New Center Gnomon
A new center gnomon section was added in 2005 to facilitate mid-day activities
to dramatize the movement of the earth -- utilizing the shadow cast by
the gnomon. This 41" gnomon foreshadows an eventual 16' one. It is
made of the same stone as the ancient ruins of MesoAmerica, and was shaped
by noted public artist Scott Donahue. We are thankful for this gift from
American Soil Products, the owner of which also gave us a significant
discount on the large stones at the site as well as the forklift needed
to put them in place.
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Equinox Shadow
This photo captures the shadow at Solar Noon (January). By its length
we can know the season (longer or shorter as the earth revolves around
the sun). Also by the shape of its path we can tell the month. Here the
earth rotating from west to east casts a straight line on the equinox,
and can be utilized to determine true east and west.
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Sign West
An example of the minimalist information boards that are at the site,
one each in the west and east, and one behind the new center gnomon. They
are updated each season.
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Service For Peace (Upgrade completion)
A photo of the hardworking Service For Peace crew at the finish of site
upgrade, January 2006. They worked on it periodically for three months.
We are grateful that they will continue to help maintain the site.
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Next Step - Berms
Phase I will involve the installation of earthen berms, a level center
circle, and a wheel chair accessible path up to the site. "V"
shaped slots will be carved into the berms to align with the horizon points
of sunrise and sunset. A temporary center gnomon will be reinstalled to
restore the entire complex to a temporary working seasonal calendar.
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