Sun Temple: Beltaine 2007 dawn

Authors Martin Brennan and Chas Clifton visit a solar observation site in southeastern Colorado, marking an ancient Celtic cross quarter date, ending spring and beginning summer. A thin ledge in front of a large circle carved on the sandstone cliff is the only place to witness the peculiar May 5 sunrise within a 3-sided notch defined by the horizon and a dramatic rock overhang. This year, clouds obscured first light, but the sun does an encore appearance along the edge of the cliff face minutes later.