Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
Eine Plattform für die Wissenschaft: Bauingenieurwesen, Architektur und Urbanistik
The Holy Alignment: Geodesic and Astronomical Fundamentals for Calculating the Adjustment of Medieval Naves
Abstract. It is commonly believed that the longitudinal axes of churches extend exactly in an east-west direction. However, thorough investigations have shown that this is not always correct; rather, both southern and northern deviations of up to about 25° can occur. The angular deviation between the church axis and true east is called the Holy Alignment. This present study presents the possibility that the nave is oriented towards the direction of the sun-rising point on the name day of the patron saint of the church. If several saints share the patronage, the Holy Alignment equals the algebraic sum of the angular distances for each saint. The orientation of a nave can be analyzed by means of common mathematical relations used in geodesy, astronomy and gnomonics. In order to perform such an analysis, it is necessary to know the history of the patronage of the church; the Gauss-Krüger coordinates of the ground plan; and characteristic astronomical quantities at the time the church was built. A calculated example with the saints Andrew, James and Philip for the year 980 illustrates the analysis. An appendix deals with the influence of atmospheric refraction on the apparent altitude of the sun near the horizon.
The Holy Alignment: Geodesic and Astronomical Fundamentals for Calculating the Adjustment of Medieval Naves
Abstract. It is commonly believed that the longitudinal axes of churches extend exactly in an east-west direction. However, thorough investigations have shown that this is not always correct; rather, both southern and northern deviations of up to about 25° can occur. The angular deviation between the church axis and true east is called the Holy Alignment. This present study presents the possibility that the nave is oriented towards the direction of the sun-rising point on the name day of the patron saint of the church. If several saints share the patronage, the Holy Alignment equals the algebraic sum of the angular distances for each saint. The orientation of a nave can be analyzed by means of common mathematical relations used in geodesy, astronomy and gnomonics. In order to perform such an analysis, it is necessary to know the history of the patronage of the church; the Gauss-Krüger coordinates of the ground plan; and characteristic astronomical quantities at the time the church was built. A calculated example with the saints Andrew, James and Philip for the year 980 illustrates the analysis. An appendix deals with the influence of atmospheric refraction on the apparent altitude of the sun near the horizon.
The Holy Alignment: Geodesic and Astronomical Fundamentals for Calculating the Adjustment of Medieval Naves
Feustel, Ortwin (Autor:in)
Nexus Network Journal ; 11 ; 7-21
30.12.2008
15 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Angle of direction , medieval architecture , eastern amplitude , Gauss-Krüger coordinates , geographical coordinates , Gregorian calendar , Holy Alignment , Julian calendar , Julian day number , main meridian , meridian convergence , meridian strips , Ostung , patronage , patron saint’s name day , refraction , standard epoch J2000.0 , sun azimuth near the horizon , wall declination Mathematics , Mathematics, general , History of Physics , Popular Science, general , History
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