2007-01-20 13:19:41 · 7 answers · asked by nil_queen 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
This is a real phenomenon related to the "precession of the equinoxes."
The earth is tilted on its axis by 23 and a fraction degrees. That means that the plane of earth's equator and the plane of earth's orbit (the ecliptic) do not coincide; there is a line that marks the intersection of these two planes, and the two ends of that line point in two opposite directions on the celestial sphere.
In ancient times, when Hipparchos (2nd century BC) first cataloged the stars of the sky, he assigned one end of that line -- the point where the Sun is at the spring equinox -- as the arbitrary zero point for ecliptic longitude. At that time, this point was at the beginning of the constellation Aries, the Ram, so it is also called "the first point of Aries".
But the earth wobbles on its axis -- as Hipparchos was the first to notice -- which means that the plane of the equator is not fixed, which means that the intersection line is not fixed either, but rotates around the ecliptic. It takes about 27,000 years for the "first point of Aries" to go all the way around the ecliptic once.
The effect of this is that immediately after Hipparchos cataloged the stars in 127 BC, the first point of Aries began to migrate westward into the eastern part of Pisces. In the intervening 2140 years, the first point of Aries has moved all the way through Pisces, and now is near the boundary between Pisces and Aquarius.
When the first point of Aries finally reaches Aquarius, we will be in the "Age of Aquarius". Astronomers are divided over exactly when that did (or will) occur.
2007-01-20 16:05:28 · answer #1 · answered by Keith P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The vernal (spring) equinox is when the sun is half way from the winter solstice to the summer soltice. Since spring is the end of winter and the beginning of new life, if you're a pagan, this is a pretty good time to mark the beginning of the new year.
Now, if you pay very close attention you will see that relative to the position of the stars, the exact moment of the equinox is slightly earlier each year. This is called "the precession of the equinoxes". This change is so small it takes over 2000 years for the equinox to move through one sign of the zodiac, and a whoping 25,800 years to move through all 12 signs. I guess after that horoscopes just repeat.
We are currently in the age of Pisces (The Fish), and have been for a long time. Since there is no exact boundaries between constelations, experts can disagree on exactly when The Age of Pisces started, but it was around 100-200 BC.
However, ages don't switch off and on like a light. What you have is a gradual rising (dawning) of the new age, during the gradual fading of the current age.
So yes, the Age of Aquarius has been dawning for some time and, according to the astrological *cough* experts, we won't be "fully" into the Age of Aquarias until 2600 or so. I hope that song is not stuck in you head the whole time.
2007-01-20 17:33:13 · answer #2 · answered by Bryan J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Age of Aquarius is a song from the 60's musical, Hair.
2007-01-20 15:08:51 · answer #3 · answered by janikdotcom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "Age of Aquarius" for us Boomers was where the planets were aligning during that time. And we will CONTINUE to dawn on it! Peace :)
2007-01-20 13:28:11 · answer #4 · answered by Tweet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The age of aquarious is a mythology about the astrological zodiac. In the age of aquarious, man kind is in a golden age.
2007-01-20 20:38:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a store. They sell exotic fish.
2007-01-20 13:27:44 · answer #6 · answered by Licca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bunch of crap thats what it is.
Personal opinion. Not much help. I apologize. Had to say it.
2007-01-20 13:27:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋