Chapter 26 Chapter 28 The Mechanism of the Sky

Although modern readers do not expect an article discussing celestial mechanics to read like a lullaby, they believe that they can immediately understand the mythical "images" because in their conception, only those that are one page long Approximate formulas for and similar things are "scientific". They did not realize that the same profound knowledge could previously be expressed in everyday language.This possibility was never considered by them, although some obvious achievements of ancient cultures-such as pyramids and metallurgy-sufficient evidence that there were serious and intelligent people running it behind the scenes, and these people must have known how to use The language of science and technology...①

The text is quoted from the work of the late MIT history of science professor Giorgio de Santillana.In the following chapters we will explore his revolutionary study of ancient mythology.In short, his argument goes like this: In ancient times, a group of serious, intelligent people devised a way of hiding behind the everyday language of mythology the technical terms used in advanced astronomy. Is Santillana right?If so, who were these bright and earnest men—the astronomers and scientists who worked quietly behind a prehistoric stage?Let's start with some basic facts. dance in the sky Every 24 hours, the Earth rotates once on its axis; its circumference at the equator is 24,902.45 miles.So when a person stands motionless on the equator, he is actually moving, following the Earth's rotation at about 1,000 miles per hour.Looking down at the North Pole from outer space, we will find that the rotation of the earth is counterclockwise.

The Earth rotates on its own axis each day, while also orbiting the Sun (again, counterclockwise); its orbit is slightly elliptical, rather than completely circular.The earth orbits the sun at an astonishing speed of 66600 miles per hour, which is about as many miles as the average driver drives in 6 years.In other words, we're hurtling through space at 18.5 miles per second, which is much faster than any bullet.By the time you finish reading this short paragraph, we've traveled about 550 miles along the Earth's orbit around the sun. It takes a year for the earth to circle the sun, so only through the slow change of seasons can we perceive the amazing space race we are participating in.In the cycle of the four seasons, we can see a wonderful and just force at work, which distributes spring, summer, autumn and winter equally to all regions of the world, and treats the southern hemisphere and the northern hemisphere equally, impartially, every year. , never deviated.

The Earth's axis of rotation is slightly tilted (approximately 23.5 degrees from vertical) relative to the orbital plane.This tilt causes the seasons to change: for six months each year, it draws the North Pole and the entire Northern Hemisphere away from the sun, allowing the Southern Hemisphere to enjoy a warm summer, and then for the remaining six months, it draws the South Pole and the Southern Hemisphere away from the sun, allowing the Northern Hemisphere to enjoy warmer summers. spend the summer.The annual variation in the angle at which sunlight strikes any point on the Earth's surface, and the variation in the number of hours that that point receives sunlight over the course of the year, is responsible for the cycle of seasons.

In astronomy, the Earth's tilt is known as "obliquity"; its orbit extending outward to form a great circle in the celestial sphere is known as "ecliptic".Astronomers often refer to the "celestial equator", which extends the Earth's equator to the celestial sphere.Today, the celestial equator and the ecliptic make an approximately 23.5-degree angle because the Earth's spin axis makes a 23.5-degree angle from the vertical.This angle, known as the "obliquit of the ecliptic", is not static.As we mentioned in Chapter 11 of this book when discussing the date of the founding of the city of Tihuanaco in the Andes, over the long years, the angle between the yellow and the red has changed continuously, although very slowly, and the magnitude of the change has never exceeded 3 degrees - 22.1 degrees at closest to vertical and 24.5 degrees at furthest from vertical.The whole cycle, from 24.5 degrees to 22.1 degrees, and then back to 24.5 degrees, takes about 41,000 years to complete in total②.

In this way, our fragile earth has to spin and sway as it orbits the sun quickly.It takes one year to run one circle, one day to rotate one circle, and 41,000 years to complete the oscillation cycle.A frenetic dance seems to be going on in space; we are constantly jumping and spinning, drifting through eternal time and space, and feel the two opposite desires fighting in the heart at every moment-sometimes we long to be in the arms of the sun, and sometimes we want to escape into the sun. In the darkness of outer space. Mystic influence We now know that the Earth is trapped in the inner circle of the Sun's gravitational reach, which extends 15 trillion miles into space, almost half the way to the nearest star.Therefore, it has an incredibly strong pull on our planet.What affects us at the same time is the gravity of other planets in the solar system.These stars compete to exert their gravitational force, trying to lead the earth away from its normal orbit around the sun.Because these planets vary in size and orbit the sun at different speeds, their collective gravitational pull changes over time in complex but predictable ways, and Earth's orbit around the sun constantly changes shape in response.The orbit is elliptical, so these changes affect how elongated it is—this is called "eccentricity" in astronomy.The eccentricity ranges from as low as zero (when the shape of the orbit is close to a perfect circle) to as high as 6% (when the shape of the orbit appears most elongated and elliptical).

In addition, the earth is subject to other forms of astral influence.Scholars have pointed out that when Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars line up, the short-wave radio frequency on the earth will be disturbed, but the reason is still unknown③.We already have clear evidence of this phenomenon: There is apparently some strange and unexpected correlation between the positions of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars as they orbit the sun, and the strong interference of radio waves in the Earth's upper atmosphere.This seems to suggest that the planets and sun share a cosmic balance of electrons extending a billion miles from the center of the solar system.Such a balance cannot be explained in the current astrophysics theory④.

The New York Times reporter who wrote the report did not delve into the significance of this phenomenon.What they may not know is that the above passage sounds a lot like what Berosus, the Babylonian historian, astronomer, and seer of the third century BC, said.He has done "profound" research on the omens that appeared before the "end of the world".It is worth noting that modern astrologers who have studied the end date of the "Fifth Sun Period" predicted by the Mayans pointed out that on that day, the planets will be arranged in a very strange pattern-so strange that "it will only happen in 45,200 years." Once... we can expect that this unusual arrangement will certainly have an unusual effect"⑤

People in their right mind are bound to be skeptical of such predictions.But there's no denying that various influences—many of which we don't fully understand until now—compete for action in the solar system.The most powerful of these influences is our own satellite: the moon.For example, earthquakes typically occur (1) when the moon is full, or when the Earth is between the sun and the moon; (2) when the moon is new, or when the moon is between the sun and the earth; and (3) when the moon passes through the affected (4) The time when the moon is closest to the earth in its orbit⑥.When the fourth scenario occurs—scientists call it "perigee"—the moon's gravitational pull on Earth increases by about 6 percent.This happens every 271/3 days.At this time, the tidal action produced by the moon not only affects the ups and downs of the earth's oceans, but also affects the movement of the hot magma trapped in the fragile crust. (One scholar described the Earth's crust as "a paper bag filled with honey or molasses, oscillating along at the 1,000+ mph rotating at the equator, plus the 66,000+ mph at which the Earth orbits the sun." )⑦

Oscillation of a freak planet This circular motion of course produces strong centrifugal forces, causing the "paper bag" of the Earth to expand outward at the equator, as Newton demonstrated in the 17th century.The corollary is the flattening of the poles.Therefore, our earth is not really a perfect round sphere; strictly speaking, it should be called an "oblate spheroid".The Earth's radius at the equator is 3963.374 miles, which is about 14 miles longer than the radius at the poles (3949.921 miles). For billions of years, the earth's flat poles and expanding equator have been engaged in a secret mathematical interaction with the wonderful gravity.An expert explained: "Because the Earth is flat, the Moon's gravity always draws the Earth's axis aside, causing it to tilt at right angles to the Moon's orbit. To a lesser extent, the Sun also plays a similar role ."⑧

At the same time, the expansion of the equator—the increase in volume of the region around the equator—kept the Earth stable on its own axis, like the edge of a gyroscope. Year after year, during interstellar interactions, this gyroscope effect prevents the "tug of war" between the sun and moon from dramatically changing the direction of Earth's spin axis.However, the combined gravitational pull of the two stars is strong enough to force the Earth's axis to "precess"—in astronomy, this means that the Earth's axis slowly oscillates forward in a clockwise direction, in contrast to the The Earth spins in the opposite direction. Such a movement is the characteristic of the earth in the solar system.Anyone who has played with a top will understand this; a top is, after all, just another gyrator.When spinning fully and continuously, the top is upright.However, as soon as its axis deviates from the vertical, it immediately exhibits a second behavior: a slow, persistent counter-oscillation in a wide circle.This wobble -- known in astronomy as "precession" -- changes the direction in which the Earth's axis points, while keeping its newly acquired tilt stable. The second analogy is slightly different, but may further help readers understand this complex and profound astronomical phenomenon: ①. Imagine that the earth is floating in space, slightly tilted, forming an angle of about 23.5 degrees with the vertical, and rotating around its own axis every 24 hours. ②Think of the earth's axis as a thick, solid pivot (Pivot) or axle (axle): it passes through the center of the earth, protrudes from the earth's south and north poles at both ends, and extends all the way into space. ③. Imagine yourself as a giant with a special mission, striding across the solar system. ④. Imagine that you are walking towards the tilted earth (because you are a giant, in your eyes, the planet earth is not much bigger than the wheel of a waterwheel). ⑤. Imagine that you reach out with both hands and grab the protruding ends of the shaft. ⑥. Then, in your imagination, you start to slowly rotate the two ends of the axe: push one end of the axe with one hand, and pull the other end of the axe with the other hand. ⑦ When you arrive, the earth itself is already rotating. 8. Your task is not to interfere with the Earth's own rotation, but to give it another kind of motion: a slow, clockwise wobble called "precession." 9. To accomplish this task, you have to push the north end of the axion up to rotate in a large circle in the northern hemisphere, and at the same time, pull the south end of the axion down to rotate in an equally large circle in the southern hemisphere.You have to use your hands and shoulders to do this slow roundabout. 10. Remind you: In the eyes of a giant like you, the earth is just a "water wheel", but it is much heavier than you imagined—in fact, it is so heavy that you have to spend 25,776 years , to rotate the two ends of the earth's axion to complete a "precession cycle". (When the task is complete, you will find that the ends of the axion point in the same direction in the celestial sphere as when you arrived.) ⑾ Oh, by the way, now that you have started your mission, we better make it clear to you: You must never leave work, because when one precession cycle ends, another cycle must begin immediately, and then another ...another... worth forever and ever. ⑿. You can regard all this as one of the basic operating mechanisms of the solar system, or you can regard it as God's will.up to you. All the while, as you slowly push the Earth's axis around the sky, its southern end will point sequentially at different stars around the South Celestial Pole (sometimes, of course, pointing at nothing in space), and its northern end will point sequentially at The different stars around the North Celestial Pole. This situation is a bit like the children's game of "blow the wind".What keeps everything moving is the Earth's axial precession—the movement caused by the enormous gravitational and gyroscopic forces, which is regular and easily deduced by modern instruments.For example, the current Polaris is alpha Ursae Minoris (alpha Ursae Minoris), but we can accurately calculate through computers that it was alpha Draconis (alpha Draco nis) that occupied the North Pole in 3000 AD.In ancient Greece, Polaris was beta Ursae Mi noris; by 14,000 AD, it would have become Vega. one of the great secrets of the past Let’s review some basic data about the earth’s movement and positioning in space: ●The axis of the ball is slightly inclined, forming an angle of about 23.5 degrees with the vertical line.Over a 41,000-year cycle, the angle changes by up to 1.5 degrees on each side. ●Every 25776 years, the earth completes a precession cycle. ●Every 24 hours, the earth rotates around its axis once.Every 365 days (actually 365.2422 days), the earth orbits the sun once. ●The biggest influence on the earth's seasons is the angle at which the sun's rays hit the ground at different orbital points when the earth moves along its orbit. We must also remember that each year there are four key astronomical moments that officially announce the beginning of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.These times (or "cardinal points") are the winter solstice, summer solstice, vernal equinox, and autumnal equinox, and were very important to people in ancient times.In the northern hemisphere, the winter solstice comes on December 1, which is the shortest day of the year, and the summer solstice occurs on June 21, which is the longest day of the year.The opposite is true in the southern hemisphere: winter begins on June 1, and summer begins on December 21. The vernal and autumnal equinoxes are two days of the year when day and night are of equal length around the globe.Just like the summer solstice and winter solstice, the day of spring in the northern hemisphere (March 20) happens to be the first day of autumn in the southern hemisphere; the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere (September 22) coincides with the beginning of spring in the southern hemisphere. Like the subtle changes in the seasons, it's all due to the Earth's tilt.The summer solstice in the northern hemisphere will come when the earth moves along its orbit until the north pole is directly facing the sun; six months later, when the north pole faces away from the sun, the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere will appear.During the equinoxes, the days and nights are of equal length around the globe because at this point in the Earth's orbit, its axis of rotation is facing sideways to the sun. Now, let us look at a curious phenomenon of celestial mechanics. This phenomenon is known as "the precession of the e quinoxes".It has a rigorous, recurring mathematical quality that can be analyzed and predicted with precision.However, without sophisticated instruments, it is difficult to observe it, let alone measure it accurately. Clues to unravel one of history's great mysteries may be found here. ① Santillana and Dai Chengde, "Hamlet's Stone Mill", pp. 57-58. Giorgio de Santil lana and Hertha von Dechend Hamlets Mill, David R. Godine, Boston, 1992, pp 57-8 ②Hayes, Ying Xiangduan and Shakden, "Changes in the Earth's Orbit and the Process of the Ice Age", "Science", Vol. 194, No. 4270, p. 1125. J． D Hays, John Imbrie and NJ. Shackton, "Variations in the Earths Orbit, Pacemaker of the Ice Ages," Science, volume 194, No. 4270, 10 December 1976, p. 1125. ③Emanuel Velikovsky "The Changing Earth", page 266. Immanuel Velikovsky, Earth. in Upheaual, Pocket Books, New York, 1977, p.266. ④ "New York Times", April 15, 1951. ⑤ Roberta Skrowa's "Predicting Planetary Positions", appended to Frank Waters' "Mexican Secret", pages 285 and subsequent pages. Roberta S. Sklower, "Predicting Planetary Positions," appendix to Frank Waters, Mexico Mystipue, Sage Books, Chica go, 1975, p. 285ff. ⑥ "Earth in Upheaval", p. 138. ⑦Donald Paiden, "The Biblical Flood and the Ice Age: A Study in the History of Science", p. 49. Donald W． Patten, The Biblical Flood and the Ice Epoch: A Study in Scientific History, Pacific Merdian Publishing Co, Seattle, 1966, p. 49． ⑧ "Encyclopedia Britannica", 1991 edition, Volume 27, page 530.