Observatories, it has a has a sort of sound to it of mistery and intrigue. Knowledge not simply shared, but sought after and for those that 'speak the language'. India has some fine architectural wonders, where astronomers could read the planets, sun and other stars and maybe our future...
One day I would like to wonder around these complex buildings.
Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur
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| Information at wiki |
The Jantar-Mantar of Delhi. The Indian astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1688-1743 AD) built a series of stone observatories throughout India. Pictured here is an overview of the observatory in Delhi. The structure to the right is the gnomon of a great sundial (those are normal sized stairs leading up its edge).
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| Jantar-Mantar Delhi |
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| The Zodiacal instruments of Rashi Yantras |
The Zodiacal Instruments (Rashi Yantras). These instruments in Jaipur were used to observe the latitudes and longitudes of the sun and planets. Although they appear to be sundials, they are in fact quite different. The angle and orientation of the gnomons are related to the positions of individual Zodiacal signs at the time of observation (any one instrument can only be used for about 2 hours of any day).
Now here's a replica of Jantar Mantar and an stone circle. I don't know where it is, but it looks like it's a different climate...
