Look closely and you"ll see a snake slithering down the steps of the Temple of Kukulcan (aka El Castillo or The Castle), in Chichen Itza, Mexico. Not a real snake, it"s an image created by natural light and shadows only during the spring and fall equinoxes. The equinox (which means equal night in Latin) is either of the two times each year—like today, the first day of fall—when the Earth"s orbit and position cause the sun to pass directly over the equator, creating equal amounts of daylight and darkness. According to Mayan legend, on both equinoxes this pyramid is visited by Kukulcan, the feathered serpent god. Thousands of spectators gather to watch and celebrate as seven triangles of light slide down the pyramid, illustrating Kukulcan"s descent.
Stepping into autumn
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Visiting Ahch-To on Star Wars Day
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In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’
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Crested caracaras
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Jerte Valley in bloom
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Sequential images of a total solar eclipse
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Birds and bees, and why they re so important
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It s Star Wars Day
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A leafy seadragon in the waters off Wool Bay, Australia
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It s a good day to be green
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Polar bear season in Manitoba
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Sea Slug Day
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Sharp-dressed bug
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Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
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Jöriseen lakes in the Silvretta Alps, Switzerland
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Think deep thoughts
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Hey, you two in the front!
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What happened to these clouds?
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Who left the tub running?
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Watch your step
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Celebrating Take Your Dog to Work Day
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Here’s why landmarks are going dark
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Can you see the family resemblance?
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A gorge-ous mill in the Causses
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International Tiger Day
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The Hermitage of Santa Justa
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3,000 years of history
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World Wildlife Day
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Swimming with the sea cows
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Bridge of Hillsborough County
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Northern cardinal in winterberry bush