Celebrating “First Light” for PUNCH and PUNCH Outreach

The PUNCH Outreach team has contributed to cultural astronomy research in Chaco Canyon, NM by determining the two dates (before and after summer solstice) when the “first light” of sunrise occurs with a dramatic “double diamond ring” effect atop a horizon feature called Triangle Rock. On these dates, the apex of Triangle Rock's shadow passes through the center of a large spiral petroglyph on the eastern face of an Ancestral Puebloan solar observation site called Rock of the Sun. The spiral center defines the viewpoint for the sunrise “horizon calendar” that features the double diamond spectacle and other visually prominent interactions useful for tracking time near the summer solstice.

Our discoveries are a result of conducting respectful photographic and photogrammetric surveys of the site to support a variety of PUNCH outreach products, including a short eclipse video, an interactive kiosk, a planetarium film, and tactile-art models for both blind and sighted learners. Coincidentally, one of the two double diamond dates corresponds to the PUNCH mission’s “First Light” press release on June 3rd of this year, thus offering two reasons for an annual “First Light” celebration for PUNCH and PUNCH Outreach.

All PUNCH Outreach products are aligned with an Ancient & Modern Sun-watching theme that represents NASA exploration of the Sun as a natural extension of humanity’s age-old dedication to observing and learning to live in harmony with the rhythms of the Sun, be they seasonal or the 11-year solar activity cycle.

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