Photonic systems provide access to extremely large bandwidths, which can approach a petahertz. Unfortunately, full utilization of this bandwidth is not achievable using standard electro-optical ...technologies, and higher (>100 GHz) performance requires all-optical processing with nonlinear-optical elements. A solution to the implementation of these elements in robust, compact and efficient systems is emerging in photonic integrated circuits, as evidenced by their recent application in various ultrahigh-bandwidth instruments. These devices enable the characterization of extremely complex signals by linking the high-speed optical domain with slower speed electronics. Here, we extend the application of these devices beyond characterization and demonstrate an instrument that generates complex and rapidly updateable ultrafast optical waveforms. We generate waveforms with 1.5-ps minimum features by compressing lower-bandwidth replicas created with a 10 GHz electro-optic modulator. In effect, our device allows for ultrahigh-speed direct 270 GHz modulation using relatively low speed devices and represents a new class of ultrafast waveform generators.
A myth asserts that at sunrise on the summer solstice 'something' came to the Calanais Stones' central ring heralded by the cuckoo's call. This paper investigates which of the three celestial objects ...easily visible at sunrise, the Sun, Moon and Venus, might be referred to. The stones have no obvious orientation with the Sun and, while a 'window' of the midsummer full-moons could be seen over the stone ring, complex lunar orbits preclude any precise alignments including the lunar standstill positions. Several widespread European goddesses of fertility and sovereignty were associated with both Venus and the cuckoo, astronomically symbolised by the Pleiades in northern Europe. The east -row of the Calanais Stones is aligned with crossover events of Venus. Three crossover events occurred during the period of the east row construction suggested by radiocarbon dating. The azimuth of the rising Pleiades coincided with the Venus crossover of 1677 and 1674 BC. The 'something' was 'bright, shining, holy' in Brittonic, gwen, while Gwener is the planet Venus. The appearance of the Sun and Venus at sunrise on the summer solstice might represent a divine wedding. This is believed to be the first European prehistoric monument demonstrated to be purposely aligned with Venus.
In this paper, we combine evidence from archaeology, landscape, astronomy, and Indigenous oral traditions to propose that Chaco Canyon was established as a regionally influential sun-moon-rain shrine ...beginning in the Basketmaker III period. We review the Basketmaker III archaeological record of Chaco Canyon with emphasis on Shábik'e'eshchί (29 SJ 1659), Woodpecker (29 SJ 423), and Coyote Point (29 SJ 299), a site near Fajada Butte. We suggest Shábik'e'eshchί and Woodpecker were specifically positioned to provide views of the winter solstice sunrise in alignment with Chaco Canyon's trajectory, which, together with the presence of Fajada Butte and Chaco's position in the center of the San Juan Basin, combined to establish the canyon as a unique sacred locale. We also present narratives from the Diné (Navajo) Waterway (Tóyeejí) and Navajo Windway (Diné Biníłch'ijí) Ceremonies that emphasize the importance of Fajada Butte, solar-lunar astronomy, and rainmaking in Chacoan history to support this scenario.
In this contribution, we seek to identify conceptual elements in the Inca and pre‐Inca cultures (Andean primordial civilizations) that are consonant and exhibit convergence with science, and more ...specifically with astronomy and astrophysics. Moreover, this procedure may allow, as a consequence of an analysis based on some aspects of epistemology and astrophysics, a deeper discussion within a structuralist/poststructuralist point of view. Finally, in this investigation, we seek to identify epistemological contributions in these cultures that may broaden our view on the area of archaeoastronomy.
The discipline that studies the knowledge and beliefs that ancient peoples and civilizations had about the sky, and that they left evidenced in archaeological elements is called Archaeoastronomy. The ...Technology in Topography program, now called Technology in Topographic Surveys of the District University, has generated an academic space of an intrinsic type called Archaeoastronomy, where it is shown, analyzed, investigated on various sites where archaeological remains lie, and their possible relationship with the astronomical knowledge of the communities that inhabited them and their cosmovision’s. Also, the Seedbed of Research in Archaeoastronomy, has generated several thesis projects. Thus, with terrestrial laser scanner technology, topographic surveys, geodetic positioning, 3D photographs, Drones, cartography, solar clock design, and chroniclers’ readings, data and documentation have been taken to solve and propose hypotheses in the area. In the same way, sites where the communities made observations of solstices and equinoxes have been visited and recovered.
La disciplina que estudia los conocimientos y creencias que tenían los pueblos y civilizaciones antiguas sobre el cielo, y que dejaron evidenciados en elementos arqueológicos se llama Arqueoastronomía. El programa de Tecnología en Topografía, hoy denominado Tecnología en Levantamientos Topográficos de la Universidad Distrital, ha generado un espacio académico de tipo intrínseco denominado Arqueoastronomía, en donde se muestra, analiza, investiga sobre diversos sitios en donde yacen vestigios arqueológicos, y su posible relación con los conocimientos astronómicos de las comunidades que los habitaron y sus cosmovisiones. También el Semillero de Investigación en Arqueoastronomía, ha generado varios proyectos de tesis de grado. Es así como con tecnología de escáner laser terrestre, levantamientos topográficos, posicionamientos geodésicos, fotografías en 3D, Drones, cartografía, diseño de relojes solares y lecturas de cronistas se han tomado datos y documentando para resolver y plantear hipótesis en el área. De la misma manera se han visitado y recuperado sitios en donde las comunidades realizaban observaciones de solsticios y equinoccios.
Arqueoastronomía en los Cojines del Zaque Tunja, Colombia Hernan Bustos, Edier; Rodríguez Rojas, Carlos; Bonilla Romero, Julio
Revista cientifica del Centro de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Cientifico de la Universidad Distral Francisco Jose de Caldas,
02/2019
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
In the city of Tunja Colombia, is the sanctuary of the Cojines del Zaque. It is an indigenous archeological monument of prehispanic origin, of the Muisca, Chibcha people, used to make observations of ...the Sun in its astronomical cycle and to celebrate ceremonies. They are two circular monoliths carved on the same rock, with a diameter of 1.14 m, 28 cm high and 11 cm apart. Manuel Velez in 1847, says see two stones called, on a hill of the city that governed the Zaque. He says that when he kneels on them he enjoys a view to the east of the plain of Tunja and that perhaps the inhabitants of that place would worship the sun there when they got up. Several researchers propose its use as an astronomical solar observatory of pre-Hispanic America. In sense 2008, the seedbed in Archaeoastronomy of the University Distrital Francisco José de Caldas (UDFJC) carries out archaeo-astronomical studies on the area.
En la ciudad de Tunja Colombia, se encuentra el santuario de los Cojines del Zaque, un monumento arqueológico indígena de origen prehispánico, del pueblo Muisca, Chibcha, usado para realizar observaciones del sol en su ciclo astronómico y celebrar ceremonias. Son dos monolitos circulares tallados sobre una misma roca, con un diámetro de 1,14 m, 28 cm de altura y 11 cm de separación entre ellos. Manuel Vélez en 1847, dice ver dos piedras ubicadas, sobre una colina de la ciudad que gobernaba el Zaque. Comenta que al arrodillarse sobre ellas goza de una vista al oriente de la planicie de Tunja y que tal vez los habitantes de ese lugar adorarían al sol, al levantarse. Varios investigadores proponen su uso como observatorio solar astronómico de la América prehispánica. Por esta razón, desde 2008, el semillero en Arqueoastronomía de la Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas (UDFJC) ha realizado estudios arqueastronómicos sobre la zona.
Archaeological and geomorphological investigations of Little Bluff (47Tr32), in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, reveal how and, possibly, why this loess-capped sandstone ridge spur was anthropogenically ...altered in the mid-eleventh century A.D. Project excavation units and trenches dug in 2010-2011 revealed the timing, rate of completion, structure, symmetry, and orientation of the construction. In addition to delineating construction details and associated archaeological features, our research suggests that Cahokians, by sculpting and rebuilding this ridge spur, were actively positioning themselves vis-à-vis the wider Mississippi Valley landscape, if not the cosmos generally.
ABSTRACT
Building upon a pioneering 1909 survey of Moloka‘i Island heiau (temples) by archaeologist John F. G. Stokes, the pre‐contact temple system of Hālawa Valley is described and analysed. Ten ...heiau were relocated and mapped, with seven sites test excavated and radiocarbon dated. The majority of sites are terraces or terraced platforms in architectural form, ranging in size from 72 to 1300 square meters in basal area. Functionally, the temples include fishing shrines (ko‘a), agricultural or fertility temples (heiau ho‘oulu‘ai), and one luakini or temple of human sacrifice dedicated to the war god Kū. The orientations of the temple foundations appear to be deliberate (rather than dictated by topography). One group is slightly offset from cardinality and shows an eastward orientation, likely associated with the god Kāne. A second group exhibits an orientation to the ENE, which is the direction of the star cluster Makali‘i (Pleiades), whose achronycal rising determined the onset of the Makahiki season dedicated to the god Lono. The radiocarbon dates indicate that the temples were constructed during the seventeenth to eighteenth centuries, or the Archaic States Period of the Hawaiian cultural sequence.
RÉSUMÉ
S'appuyant sur une étude pionnière de 1909 sur les heiau (temples) de l'île de Moloka'i réalisée par l'archéologue John F. G. Stokes, le système de temples pré‐européens de la vallée de Hālawa est ici décrit et analysé. Dix heiau ont été relocalisés et cartographiés, et sept sites ont été fouillés et datés au radiocarbone. La majorité des sites sont des terrasses ou des plates‐formes architecturales, dont la superficie au sol varie de 72 à 1300 mètres carrés. D'un point de vue fonctionnel, les temples comprennent des sanctuaires de pêche (ko‘a), des temples agricoles ou de fertilité (heiau ho‘oulu‘ai) et un luakini ou temple du sacrifice humain dédié au dieu de la guerre Kū. Les orientations des édifices semblent délibérées (plutôt que dictées par la topographie). Un groupe est légèrement décalé par rapport à la cardinalité et présente une orientation vers l'est, sans doute associée au dieu Kāne. Un deuxième groupe présente une orientation vers l'E‐NE, c'est‐à‐dire la direction de l'amas d'étoiles Makali'i (Pléiades), dont le lever achronique déterminait le début de la saison Makahiki dédiée au dieu Lono. Les datations radiocarbone indiquent que les temples ont été construits entre le XVIIe et le XVIIIe siècle, soit la période des États Archaïques de la séquence culturelle hawaïenne.
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