Solar Eclipse At The Chichén Itzá Pyramids… A Mystical Experience At One Of The Seven Wonders Of The World
I knew during my stay in Merida, Mexico, I would tour the pyramids of Chichén Itzá as I failed to do so last year when I first visited this city. By chance, I was not aware when I booked the tour for Saturday, October 14th, 2023 that there would be a solar eclipse over the Yucatan Peninsula. A one-time Mayan experience that only happens every 40 years. Although there is not much of an astronomy bone in me, I was thrilled to partake in this mystical experience. Could it be that I was meant to be there? Who knows! Here is how the day went….
First a Bit of History
The Mayans were a civilization to reckon with and it’s sad much of their ancient history has been destroyed by the Spaniards. Besides building cities throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, they created their own mathematical system beginning with zero and developed calendars and writing systems. One of their most important achievements was their ability to accurately predict solar/moon eclipses with no instruments (Yup, just the naked-eye and some math). Based on their religious beliefs, the Mayans associated these eclipses with adverse events that would affect them both individually and as a community. According to the Yucatec Mayan language, the eclipse is called “Chi’bal…
