Earth's Spacetime in Ancestral Astronomy

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Detail of the 1440-minute matrix with Earth's rotation drawing.
We live with concepts originating from astronomy in our daily lives without even realizing it. Our clock is one such example, corresponding to a solar day—the complete cycle of Earth's rotation.

The best way to understand the concept of Earth's spacetime is through the structure of the clock. It is the instrument that relates the two coordinates of Time and Space, common in astronomy and in daily life on Earth.

The clock illustrates, step by step, Earth's path through space and time during its rotational movement.

Earth's full rotation, established as 1,440 angular minutes, corresponds to the Space traveled by Earth around itself — 1 Solar Day —, while the Time period of 1,440 minutes marks the Time required for Earth to complete this path in Space.

For the Mayans, 1 Solar Day or Kin represented the primary unit of astronomy, where 1 angular minute in Space corresponded to 1 minute in Time.

Thus, the minute is the common magnitude of Space, and also of Time in this astronomy, where all cycles were studied and observed within this system of magnitude.

The space traversed by orbiting planets was measured angularly, relative to each complete cycle of 1,440 minutes, and never in terms of linear magnitudes.

The speed of planetary motion was measured in time, whereas the space traversed in orbit was determined angularly.

The use of the Minute as a common magnitude of Space and Time between the two primary astronomical coordinates endowed astronomy with dimensions always proportional to Earth's cycles of Time and Space, where the solar day served as the unit, comprising 1,440 minutes of both Space and Time.

This system of astronomical observation enabled the rational tracking of planetary cycles and movements across Time and space, within the dimensions of both the Earth and the human mind.

This method of study led these cultures to encounter the universe's order of expansion within Earth's space and time, fostering immense development and a wealth of cultural knowledge.

This was an astronomy that allowed one to observe how the chain of motions described by Earth across space and time is similarly mirrored in the physical and spiritual life of both the planet and humanity.

Through this understanding, these cultures gained a profound sense of cosmic belonging and reverence, a bond that vividly resonated throughout their diverse artistic and cultural expressions.


Ancestral Astronomy logo by Joana Burnay.

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