Sacred monuments

The “hippie” revolution of the 1960s may have been predated by some 6,000 years if researchers’ suspicions about the chambered mound called Gavrinis are correct. The mound, more than 26 feet high, is located on a small island off France’s Brittany coast and dates to 3500 B.C., making it older than the pyramids. A passage into the mound extends for 40 feet before ending in a chamber. What immediately catches the eye are the walls that are covered with etchings of concentric rings, curves, chevrons, and serpentine wiggles. They are reminiscent, says one archaeologist, of the “psychedelic art” of the 1960s. They may have had the same inspiration, as well, since Neolithic pottery artifacts found in the chamber contain traces of cannabis. The mound’s connection to the heavens was established when it was found that a line, running from the chamber to a stone at the entrance, points to the southernmost moonrise at “major standstill.” This means the full moon is at its highest point at midsummer and appears to temporarily halt before resuming its motions. A white crystal rock was placed to catch the moon’s rays at this point and its white glow may have played a role in some mystical experience, particularly if it had some chemical help!

Focus on the planets

Only two planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are conspicuous in the night sky during February. Comet Machholtz, however, will provide an interesting diversion from planet watching as it moves from high in the northern sky towards Polaris.

Mercury appears just above the western horizon about a half hour after sunset during the closing days of February. It will put on a much better show in March.

Venus may be glimpsed for a few days in early February very low on the east-southeast horizon just before sunrise.

Mars opens the month just above the southeastern horizon about an hour before sunrise. The far distant Red Planet, now 180 million miles from Earth, will be difficult to spot but, on Feb. 5, it can be found just above the thin crescent moon.

Jupiter rises in the east around 11 p.m. as the month opens and by 9 p.m. at its close. Viewers with telescopes will be treated to sights of the four major moons of Jupiter as they orbit about the giant planet, as well as bands of atmospheric turbulence on the surface.

Saturn is visible high in the east, where it is a neighbor to the twins Castor and Pollux, from dark to nearly dawn. The planet appears large and bright, and its rings are tilted at their maximum towards us, affording a view of the ring divisions if you have a telescope powerful enough to spot them. Many of Saturn’s 37 (at latest count) moons are visible, including Titan, which has recently been making news and is one of the outermost moons.

Neptune and Uranus are lost in the sun’s glare for the entire month.

Pluto is in the southeast at twilight, but even experienced observers will likely wait until later in the year when the tiny planet is higher in the sky.

February events

1 Sunrise, 6:55 a.m.; sunset, 4:43 p.m.

2 Moon in last quarter, 2:27 a.m. Today is Candlemas or Groundhog Day, a cross-quarter day marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

7 Moon at perigee or closest approach to the Earth.

8 New moon, 5:29 p.m. Today is Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday,” marking the start of the 40 days of Lent.

9 Ash Wednesday.

10 Muslim New Year of the year 1426 A.H.

16 Moon in first quarter, 7:15 p.m. The sun enters Aquarius on the ecliptic.

18 The sun enters the astrological sign of Pisces but, astronomically, has just entered Aquarius.

20 Moon at apogee or greatest distance from Earth.

24 Full moon, 11:54 p.m. The full moon of February is called the Snow Moon, the Hunger Moon, or the Wolf Moon.

27 The moon is very close to Jupiter today. Viewers in Australia will be treated to an occultation as the moon passes in front of and blocks out the giant planet.

28 Sunrise, 6:15 a.m.; sunset, 5:22 p.m.

Clair Wood taught physics and chemistry for more than a decade at Eastern Maine Technical College in Bangor.