Journal or Publication Title:

Բյուրականի աստղադիտարանի հաղորդումներ: Երևանի աստղադիտարանի բյուլետեն = Сообщения Бюраканской обсерватории. Бюллетень ереванской Астрономической обсерватории = Contributions from the Burakan observatory. Bulletin of the Erevan astronomical observatory

Date of publication:

2026

Volume:

73

Number:

1

ISSN:

2579-2276

Coverage:

121-126

Abstract:

In this conference communique, we summarise our findings on the orientation of the Temple of Apollo in Didyma, published in The Journal of Skyscape Archaeology in 2024. We suggest that the temple is carefully oriented towards the heliacal rising direction of Castor (α Gemini) at an azimuth of 55 degrees. Since in the Archaic and Hellenistic construction epochs the heliacal rise of Castor coincided with the summer solstice, Castor’s sighting must have been used as the confirming signal for the beginning of the summer season. We believe the temple was oriented for Castor’s early detection and, therefore, for the oracle’s timing purposes.

Format:

pdf

Identifier:

oai:arar.sci.am:439346

General note:

Communications of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (ComBAO) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which publishes research in observational and theoretical astronomy/astrophysics and presents recent advances in these fields. It is being published by the NAS RA V. Ambartsumian Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) in English in electronic form. The journal publishes original papers, review papers, brief reports, book reviews, special communications, observational and theoretical results in various fields of astronomy and related sciences, and some editorial notes, including anniversaries and obituaries. Under the heading “Legacy”, the renewed magazine will republish some old articles of high value in English. The heading “Guest articles” will bring to the attention of readers the articles of researchers who are not employees of BAO. ComBAO was founded in 1946 and regularly published in 1946-1990. However, the publication was interrupted because of the economic situation after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Location of original object:

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