The “Interim” Memorial Solar Calendar represents Phase I of comprehensive urban/lunar calendar. It serves as a research tool for studying the intersection of ancient astronomy, culture, and ecology, and as a celebratory site to honor the life and legacy of noted labor leader Cesar Chavez. The earthen berms and stonework provide the basic architecture needed to develop small-scale prototype instruments for studying and experiencing the interplay of sun, earth and moon.
The project was established by City Council Resolution in 1998, which began a long series of approvals and development. Funds are being raised for the final design and installation.
HOW THE HORIZON CALENDAR WORKS
Horizon calendars work by tracking the position of the sun along the horizon over the course of the year. At the site, a visitor can stand in the center of the circle and align the small inner stones with the larger boulders on the outer perimeter of the circle. These alignment stones are oriented to the sunset and sunrise points on the western and eastern horizons that mark the beginning of the seasons. For the earliest farmers, such points on the horizon served as clues as for knowing when to precisely plant a given crop to achieve the maximum yield.
THE SOLAR NOON CALENDAR
Meridian or solar noon calendars work by tracking the length of a shadow cast by a gnomon or pole when the sun is directly overhead at “Solar Noon,” i.e., aligned with the longitudinal meridian of Berkeley. In the ancient past, the length of a shadow cast by a pole was used to determine geographical direction, alignment of buildings, and the planting and harvesting seasons.
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