**Astronomy Picture of the Day**

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Kind-1 (TextNote)

2026-03-16T04:23:47Z

Astronomy Picture of the Day

16 March 2026

Equinox at the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2603/MayanMilkyWay_Fernandez_1080.jpg

Image Credit: Robert Fedez

Explanation:
To see the feathered serpent descend the Mayan pyramid requires exquisite timing.

You must visit El Castillo -- in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula -- near an equinox.

Then, during the late afternoon if the sky is clear, the pyramid's own shadows create triangles that merge into the famous illusion of a slithering viper.

Also known as the Temple of Kukulkan, the impressive step-pyramid stands 30 meters tall and 55 meters wide at the base.

Built up as a series of square terraces by the pre-Columbian civilization between the 9th and 12th century, the structure can be used as a calendar and is noted for astronomical alignments.

The featured composite image was captured in 2019 with Jupiter and Saturn straddling the diagonal central band of our Milky Way galaxy.

In a few days another equinox will occur -- not only at Temple of Kukulcán, but all over planet Earth.

#APOD #Equinox #MayanAstronomy #Kukulkan #ElCastillo #AstronomicalAlignment

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260315.html

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  "content": "**Astronomy Picture of the Day**\n\n16 March 2026\n\n**Equinox at the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent**\n\nhttps://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2603/MayanMilkyWay_Fernandez_1080.jpg\n\nImage Credit: Robert Fedez\n\nExplanation:  \nTo see the feathered serpent \ndescend \nthe Mayan pyramid requires exquisite timing. \n\nYou must visit \nEl Castillo -- in \nMexico's \nYucatán Peninsula -- near an \nequinox. \n\nThen, during the late afternoon if the sky is clear, \nthe pyramid's own \nshadows create triangles \nthat merge into the famous illusion of a \nslithering viper. \n\nAlso known as the \nTemple of Kukulkan, the impressive step-pyramid \nstands 30 meters tall and 55 meters wide at the base. \n\nBuilt up as a series of square terraces by the \npre-Columbian civilization between the 9th and 12th century, \nthe structure can be used as a calendar and is noted for \nastronomical alignments.\n\nThe featured composite image was captured in 2019 with \nJupiter and Saturn \nstraddling the diagonal central band of our Milky Way galaxy.\n\nIn a few days another \nequinox will occur \n-- not only at Temple of Kukulcán, but \nall over planet Earth.\n\n#APOD #Equinox #MayanAstronomy #Kukulkan #ElCastillo #AstronomicalAlignment\n\nhttps://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260315.html\n",
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