Only Once A Year At 11:11 AM The Sun Aligns Perfectly To Uncover This Memorial’s Hidden Beauty
The Anthem Veterans Memorial (AVM) in Anthem, Arizona, is a monument in honor of the service and sacrifice of the United States armed forces. It is, however, “incomplete” 364 days per year. To fully appreciate it, you have to be there at a very specific time. And sun.
“At precisely 11:11 a.m. [PT] each Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the sun’s rays pass through the ellipses of the five Armed Services pillars to form a perfect solar spotlight over a mosaic of The Great Seal of the United States,” the city’s community council writes. “The five pillars represent the unity of the five branches of the United States military serving steadfast together.” Those include the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard. “They are staggered in size with their appropriate military seal placements on each pillar based upon the Department of Defense prescribed precedence.”
A lot of consideration went into building this monument. “Each year, the center of the sun is slightly offset from other years by just a few horizontal or vertical arc-seconds relative to the timing of the required azimuth/altitude position of the sun,” AVM chief engineer Jim Martin explained. “Using the statistical mean of the 100-year data, the altitude and azimuth angles for the structure were adjusted to provide time/error fluctuation of plus or minus 12 time seconds from the International Atomic Time mark of 11:11:11 a.m. <…> we also checked the variance 500 years out, and if the structure is still standing, it will work.”
More info: onlineatanthem.com (h/t twistedsifter)
The Anthem Veterans Memorial in Anthem, Arizona, is “incomplete” 364 days per year
Image credits: visitarizona
But at precisely 11:11 a.m. each Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the sun’s rays pass through the pillars to illuminate The Great Seal of the United States
Image credits: Mike Spinelli
“The five pillars represent the unity of the five branches of the United States military serving steadfast together”
Image credits: Anthem Community Council
“They are staggered in size with their appropriate military seal placements on each pillar based upon the Department of Defense prescribed precedence”
Image credits: Anthem Community Council
A lot of consideration went into building this monument
Image credits: Mike Spinelli
Using 100-year statistical data, the altitude and azimuth angles for the structure were adjusted to provide time/error fluctuation of plus or minus 12 time seconds
Image credits: Anthem Community Council
“We also checked the variance 500 years out, and if the structure is still standing, it will work”
Image credits: Mike Spinelli
A very cool way to honor U.S. Veterans. And because of this, every year it will draw attention and people to it who will likely see the day as more than just a day off from school or work.
Actually, we didn't get school off, and we didn't even talk about it in class. Yay, Texas!
Load More Replies...And Newgrange in Ireland. Really makes you appreciate what they did back them more.
Load More Replies...What about daylight savings time? Also, sorry to burst your bubble, but unless the date is June or December 18, the sun will shine at that particular angle twice a year.
you cant be serious? they dont observe daylight savings in arizona
Load More Replies...Ummm, actually, there would be the equivalent day after the winter solstice too, 41 day past, to be (almost) exact. That would be approx January the 31st. Why I said "almost" is that this will vary anyway, thanks to the Leap Year Cycle. The precise timing will vary by upwards of a whole day. There'll be exactly ONE day every four years when the sun exactly aligns at that exact hour and minute. Cute idea, messed up by some inescapable astronomical realities.
Question. So in every other day can you still see the seal? Or not.
Looks like sun light will make a perfect circle of light the size of the emblem on the ground. The emblem is always there.
Load More Replies...I cannot understand why the Fox News did not report this yesterday and build it up for everyone to observe this happening today. Of all the great programs planned for our veterans, this should be historical
This is an amazing tribute to the men and women who are serving or have done military service for their country. The only issue is that their are proposals to start a United States Space Force. This monument may have to have a sixth pillar at some point in the future.
This should happen twice a year, about 30 days before (Veterans Day) AND after the winter solstice.
Rokas L ... Sadly you left out the Army in your description in the second paragraph above :( "Those include the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard." Capture-5a...770b7f.jpg
Yes, thank you for noticing and saying something!!!
Load More Replies...I’m really sorry for commenting here but I didn’t know where else to say this. What’s wrong with my profile picture? I can’t change it anymore for some reason.
Hidden message? This is a glorified spotlight. I was hoping that it would reveal a message written in shadow or something. Great idea honoring heroes, but perhaps the heading shouldn't be so misleading.
Scenic Ranch SE Arizona $595WK~ $695WK 360 Mt Views, 3 Ghost Towns and 2 National Parks. Tons of history to explore. 14 Vineyards close by to enjoy. Tombstone, Willcox, Benson are a short drive from Ranch. Website~ http://hummingbirdranchaz.com
A very cool way to honor U.S. Veterans. And because of this, every year it will draw attention and people to it who will likely see the day as more than just a day off from school or work.
Actually, we didn't get school off, and we didn't even talk about it in class. Yay, Texas!
Load More Replies...And Newgrange in Ireland. Really makes you appreciate what they did back them more.
Load More Replies...What about daylight savings time? Also, sorry to burst your bubble, but unless the date is June or December 18, the sun will shine at that particular angle twice a year.
you cant be serious? they dont observe daylight savings in arizona
Load More Replies...Ummm, actually, there would be the equivalent day after the winter solstice too, 41 day past, to be (almost) exact. That would be approx January the 31st. Why I said "almost" is that this will vary anyway, thanks to the Leap Year Cycle. The precise timing will vary by upwards of a whole day. There'll be exactly ONE day every four years when the sun exactly aligns at that exact hour and minute. Cute idea, messed up by some inescapable astronomical realities.
Question. So in every other day can you still see the seal? Or not.
Looks like sun light will make a perfect circle of light the size of the emblem on the ground. The emblem is always there.
Load More Replies...I cannot understand why the Fox News did not report this yesterday and build it up for everyone to observe this happening today. Of all the great programs planned for our veterans, this should be historical
This is an amazing tribute to the men and women who are serving or have done military service for their country. The only issue is that their are proposals to start a United States Space Force. This monument may have to have a sixth pillar at some point in the future.
This should happen twice a year, about 30 days before (Veterans Day) AND after the winter solstice.
Rokas L ... Sadly you left out the Army in your description in the second paragraph above :( "Those include the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, the United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard." Capture-5a...770b7f.jpg
Yes, thank you for noticing and saying something!!!
Load More Replies...I’m really sorry for commenting here but I didn’t know where else to say this. What’s wrong with my profile picture? I can’t change it anymore for some reason.
Hidden message? This is a glorified spotlight. I was hoping that it would reveal a message written in shadow or something. Great idea honoring heroes, but perhaps the heading shouldn't be so misleading.
Scenic Ranch SE Arizona $595WK~ $695WK 360 Mt Views, 3 Ghost Towns and 2 National Parks. Tons of history to explore. 14 Vineyards close by to enjoy. Tombstone, Willcox, Benson are a short drive from Ranch. Website~ http://hummingbirdranchaz.com
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