The Sun in the West: Myths, Realities, and Oddities
The notion of the sun rising in the west has long fascinated both historians and the general public. This concept is often rooted in myths and rare astronomical events. In this article, we'll explore the historical myth, the geological underpinnings, and some modern occurrences that challenge our understanding of the sun's path.
Historical Misunderstanding: The Trinity Test
Before the Trinity test, where the first atomic bomb was detonated at White Sands in August 1945, a widespread belief existed that the sun had risen in the west. This was a result of a particular experiment that occurred in an isolated area, often referred to as "East Bumfuck". The site was so remote that it was almost impossible to decipher the sun's direction. True to the secret nature of atomic testing, the Native Americans living nearby did not know what had happened during the blast. This led to the legend of "The Day the Sun Rose in the West", which remains part of their folklore.
Geological Shifts and Solar Polarity
The Earth's magnetic field does undergo geological shifts, known as reversals or polarity flips. The last known reversal occurred approximately 780,000 years ago, known as the Brunhes–Matuyama reversal. During such a reversal, the polarity of the Earth's magnetic field would indeed be opposite from its current state. However, the sun's path in the sky, as observed from Earth, would not be affected by this geomagnetic change. Thus, from a magnetic perspective, the compass would point in the opposite direction, but skies and the sun's movement would remain constant.
Modern Experiences: Sunsets and Airplanes
While the concept of the sun rising in the west may seem rare, it can happen during certain rare circumstances. One such example is experienced during air travel. When a plane takes off close to sunset, the sun can appear to set over the western horizon. The airplane then takes off, flying over the sun, causing it to reappear in the west. For instance, if a person is on an airplane approaching the sunset, the sun may dip below the horizon, and once the plane ascends, the sun will reappear in the west, which can be a truly remarkable sight.
Unique Planetary Phenomenon: Venus
The sun rising in the west is a more common phenomenon on Venus than on Earth. Due to the planet's extremely slow rotation and retrograde motion, the sun rises in the west, and sets in the east. It takes Venus 243 Earth days to complete one rotation, which is actually longer than the 225 Earth days it takes to orbit the Sun. This unique planetary rotation provides an interesting perspective for astronauts or visitors to Venus, mimicking a day-night cycle that moves in the opposite direction to that of Earth.
Australian Oddity: Compass Direction and Solar Path
For those accustomed to the Northern Hemisphere, where the sun's path is from left to right at noon, the experience of visiting the Southern Hemisphere can be quite disorienting. In Australia, the sun still moves east to west, but the compass direction is reversed. If facing the sun in the morning, the sun will move from right to left, which can be quite shocking for first-time visitors. This is due to the Earth's berryclination and axial tilt, leading to the perception of solar path reversal in the Southern Hemisphere.
These phenomena and experiences challenge our understanding of the sun's movement and create a diverse range of perspectives on the apparent path of the sun. From atomic testing myths to geological shifts and unique planetary positions, the sun's journey through the sky is a fascinating and complex topic.
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