http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2690010/2/istockphoto_2690010-amazing-giza-pyramids.jpg

That's right folks, pyramids relate to astronomy. But what are Egyptian Pyramids?

Egyptian Pyramids were pyramids built for dead pharoahs as a tomb. It also symbolized how long they ruled; the longer the pyramid, the longer they were in power. They're so huge; the fact that they were man made remains amazing. The technique they used was simple, build a ramp and have people roll up stones to the top. The longer the Pharoah was in power, the bigger the pyramids became, taller and fatter. Inside the pyramids are treasures, both physical and mental. The physical treasures were the gold items that were stashed away with the Pharoah when he was buried. The mental treasures were the Hieroglyphics for historians. Although they aren't from the beggining of time, they're one of the earliest records of history known to man.

Okay, now we know what they are, but how can a perfectly formed pyramid made out of piles and piles of rocks relate to Astronomy?

Believe it or not, astronomy was a big part of egyptian civilization. One example was their use of astronomy for predicting when the Nile River flooded. Priests were the terms early astronomers went by to predict when the river would flood. They relied on the 365 day calander and were familiar with atleast 43 constellations in the 13th century B.C.

Okay okay, enough about "How they used astronomy". What's so special about the pyramids, astronomical wise?

Surprisingly enough, egyptians built astronomically oriented buildings. Some examples are Temples and pyramids; they were built in relation to the stars. Some temples were built so that sunlight would enter a room only once a year. The pyramids at Memphite and Giza, and the Sphinx, were built to face equinoxial phaces of the solar cycle. Others, such as the Karnak, were built to capture sunlight on Solstice days of the year.

Great. Not only are pyramids tombs, but they have astronomical values, too? What?!

Yes. Star gazing for mummies.

http://www.poster.net/van-gogh-vincent/van-gogh-vincent-starry-night-7900566.jpg

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/i/imhotep2.jpg

Edited by none other, me.

centralastronomyclass - Editing

Bibliography

http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/egyptastronomy.htm

http://www.egyptologyonline.com/astronomy.htm