Archiwum

On February 10, 2025, at 23:01, a remarkable phenomenon occurred in Ondřejov, where the light of the Moon was observed passing through the sculpture From Solstice to Solstice by Zdeněk Hůla. This moment, when the Moon crossed the local meridian, was captured in a photograph, which is likely the first of its kind.  

The sculpture From Solstice to Solstice, created in 1998, was designed to incorporate natural astronomical phenomena. It consists of two parts: a menhir and a horizontal slab. The menhir has four cuts: the first is vertical, parallel to the meridian, while the other three are perpendicular to it. These cuts correspond to the heights of the Sun during the summer and winter solstices, as well as the spring and autumn equinoxes. On these specific days, the Sun passes through the cuts at solar noon, illuminating a designated spot on the ground.  

However, the Moon moves across the sky in a more complex manner. Its orbit around Earth is not perfectly circular, and its inclination and phase cycle make its position at any given moment harder to predict. The Moon travels at varying speeds, and its cycle lasts approximately 29.5 days, making its motion more intricate compared to the Sun. Observing the precise moment when the Moon’s rays pass through the sculpture requires careful planning and preparation, as such opportunities do not occur regularly.  

Information about the sculpture:
https://www.zdenek-hula.cz/index.php/realizace/od-slunovratu-k-slunovratu-from-sofistice-to-sofistice/