Hexnet Hexagonal Tag Feed: astronomy

Thoughts on the hexagonal zodiac

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:11:26 +0000

I feel something must be said about this astrological "sign shift" business that has set the 'tubes abuzz in recent days. There being twelve astrological signs ("Ophiuchus" notwithstanding) arranged around a central point, the issue is clearly one of both dozenal and hexagonal import. Despite the fact that I'm not all that into astrology (though I've learned enough over the years to inform my general fluency in Western occult symbolism), I feel the hexagonal principles at stake must be defended.

First of all, this is of course old news. I don't really understand why it keeps popping up in the media every few years, but this is simply the latest incarnation of a story that we've all been well aware of since classical antiquity, and that certainly should not come as news to anyone, anywhere. "Ophiuchus" has always been there, the twelve signs have never been symmetrically arranged in exact 30-degree sections, axial precession has always been going on, we always knew about it, nobody has ever cared, and nobody cares now.

Saturn hexagon from Cassini

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:08:53 +0000

The Saturn hexagon is a persistent hexagonal cloud pattern at the north pole of Saturn. The radius of the hexagon is approximately 8,600 miles, with a rotation period of 10:39:24. While a variety of explanations have been offered for the hexagon, It is generally thought to be some sort of standing wave phenomenon generated by differences in wind speed around the pole.

James Webb Space Telescope

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:03:19 +0000

The James Webb Space Telescope is a planned successor to the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope, scheduled for launch in 2018. The telescope employs next-generation hexagonal architecture to exceed the technical abilities of its circular antecessors.