6. Antares could on Easter Island mark when the 'summer year' is beginning. The present heliacal rising of Antares does not coincide with any equinox or solstice. But 186 - 89 = 97 days earlier the heliacal rising of Regulus is indicating that spring equinox is close:
North of the equator Regulus is descending heliacally 275 - 242.7 = ca 33 days before autumn equinox and at the same time on Easter Island Regulus is rising 87 - 61.7 = ca 25 days before spring equinox. It therefore ought to be a better sign of summer in front than Antares.
South of the equator |
North of the equator |
autumn equinox |
266 |
89 = 266 - 177 |
spring equinox |
80 (89) |
Achird |
266 + 11.7 = 277.7 |
92 = 358 - 266 |
Achird |
89 + 11.7 = 100.7 |
winter solstice |
358 = 266 +172 - 80 |
summer solstice |
172 (181) |
Sun returns (Naos) |
23 (*122) = 87 - 64 |
87 |
Sun leaves (Naos) |
202 (211) |
Achir (Regulus) |
266 + 153.7 - 358 = 61.7 |
Achir (Regulus) |
89 + 153.7 = 242.7 |
spring equinox |
87 = 358 + (266 - 172) - 365 |
autumn equinox |
266 (275) |
summer solstice |
177 = 87 + (356 - 266) |
90 = 177 - 87 |
winter solstice |
356 (365) |
Sun leaves (Altair) |
202 (*301) = 23 + 179 |
|
Sun returns (Altair) |
16 (25) |
Now we have washed away any trace of our familiar month names. But we have kept the cardinal points (a mixed blessing) and the preeminence of Antares.