I am in desperate need of the answer to this question: how much does the sun's position vary around the solstice? Will I be able to see solstice-linked events a few days around the winter solstice? Here's why:
I was planning to be in Chaco Canyon (New Mexico) on Sunday, the day after the Winter Stice for a day of hiking, when I came upon the following tidbit at an Ancient Astronomy web site (http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/astronomy/astr101/ancient.htm): "Anasazi Indians of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico constructed a spiral rock carving on Fajada Butte...At the Winter Solstice, a big sun dagger passes on either side of the large spiral." Needless to say, I don't want to miss such a rare and exciting event. My question: how much variation is there in the sun's position around the solstice? I seem to remember reading that the sun is pretty invariant around the solstice, so will a day matter? Should I make the effort to be there on the solstice itself, or will it still be there a day after? Any guidance? Thanks! Jordan L.K. Schwartz - [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://weber.u.washington.edu/~jlks/>
