Join Ron Barber at the Los Alamos Nature Center this Friday, April 19 to learn about the Stone Calendar Project and the “ringing rocks” of the Southwest. Photo Courtesy PEEC
PEEC NEWS
Join Ron Barber at the Los Alamos Nature Center this Friday evening to hear about the “ringing rocks” found in the Southwest and northern Mexico. This free talk begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 19.
Barber combined a love of nature and science to start the Stone Calendar Project and study rock art sites throughout the region, identifying glyphs that mark specific times of the year using light and shadow interactions. Many of the rock art sites show evidence of additional cultural rituals that occurred at the calendar sites. One of the most interesting findings of this project was the presence of “ringing rocks” or “gong rocks.” These rare basalt and granite rocks have a unique microstructure that generates a ringing acoustic sound when struck.
Join Barber at the nature center to hear about the Stone Calendar Projects findings, see examples of “ringing rocks” and learn about what cultural significance they may have had. Registration is not required for this event.
In addition to this talk, the nature center will show a new full-dome film in the planetarium on Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. “The Hot and Energetic Universe” surveys high-energy events and objects in the universe. The film gives a summary of the history of observation astronomy and the evolution of ground-based and space-based instruments for observing high-energy phenomena in the sky. There is limited seating in the planetarium, so please call the nature center at 505-662-0460 for tickets to this premiere. Tickets are $6 per adult and $4 per child. Events in the planetarium are not recommended for kids under age 4.
PEEC was founded in 2000 to serve the community of Los Alamos. It offers people of all ages a way to enrich their lives by strengthening their connections to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. PEEC operates the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, holds regular programs and events, and hosts a number of interest groups from birding to hiking to butterfly watching. PEEC activities are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit www.peecnature.org.