On the mornings around the Spring Equinox and the Autumn Equinox on Carnbane East at Loughcrew,
the rising sun illuminates the passage and chamber of Cairn T.
The sun light is shaped by the stones of the entrance and passage and descends the backstone
while moving from left to the right illuminating the solar symbols.
At Loughcrew Cairn T the rising sun on the mornings around the equinox illuminates the passage and chamber
Waiting to enter Loughcrew Caint T to experience the illumination of the chamber
Equinox sunbeam illuminates the chamber of Loughcrew Cairn T
Autumn Equinox 2016
Autum Equinox 2016 - Sunbeam illuminates the chamber of Loughcrew Cairn T
The equinox illumination of Loughcrew Cairn T is a remarkable phenomenon where sunlight aligns
with the passage and chamber of the ancient megalithic structure during the equinox.
Specifically designed to capture this celestial event, Cairn T at Loughcrew becomes
illuminated as the sun rises, casting light down the passage and into the chamber.
The precision in the construction of Cairn T allows for this captivating play
of light and shadow during the equinox, creating a stunning spectacle that underscores
the ancient builders' astronomical knowledge and architectural expertise.
The event serves as a testament to the alignment of ancient structures
with celestial events, possibly having symbolic or ritualistic significance for the people who constructed and used these monuments.
Loughcrew Video - Spring Equinox 2005
The progress of the sunbeam on the backstone inside Cairn T at Loughcrew was video recorded at sunrise
on the morning of March 23rd 2005. The 50 minute video has been compressed to 1 minute 46 seconds
and included in the following YouTube Video.