Help Determining the Compass Dirctions of Solstice and Equinox.

[Animal]

Hello, I am working on a project at the moment that requires me to map out both Solstice and Equinox Sunrise and Sunsets as they occur on or above the landscape.

I appear to be mentally challenged as I think I am not coming up with the right data. This is what I am looking for:

#1 A way to map out in 'compass degrees' the exact point of sun-rise and sun set for both the Summer and Winter Solstice.

#2 The same as above for the Equinoxes.

An example of what I have worked out so far is this:

Winter Solstice Sun-Rise - (23.43 degrees)

Winter Solstice Sun-Set - (-23.43 degrees)

This is based on the 'Solar Declination' in Degrees; however, I am wondering if I should be using the 'Solar Azimuth' in place of 'Solar Declination'?

What I am doing is this:

I am in the process of designing a Land Art project for a private art school in New Mexico. I am building a circular submerged amphitheater with two entry tunnels / ramps that are lined up with true north. I want to incorporate in the surrounding hill / stone walls, slots that line up with the Solstice and Equinox Sunrise and sunsets, as well as the predominate winds. I would be happy to go into more detail if you are interested and share some of my base plans; however it is very long winded.

How I am working at the moment is with a compass rose that includes degrees placed below my working plan and am trying to work out exactly where these celestial and other earthly energetic points cross this structure.

Any help getting through this rather challenging (for me) bit of work would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance once again!

Cheers all.

For some reason I am having a hard time locating a good source for this information and would love some tips on where to look. I appreciate your help. Thanks.

[brantuk]

Try "Skyviewcafe" - it has an "ephemeris data" section under the "Tables" tab - you can generate setting/rising tables for all solar system objects - I think it's close to what you're looking for

[Animal]

Brantuk, my thanks. I will take a look at skycafe now!

[brantuk]

You're welcome - here's a link I forgot to paste it lol:

Sky View Cafe - Astronomy - Star Charts and Ephemeris

[Photosbykev]

The Photographers Ephermeris is an excellent programme for displaying/calculating the information you are after

[Animal]

Hmm, this does not appear to have the data I am looking for. My biggest issue is know which numbers correlate to the degrees of a compass if any. Any idea what exactly I should be looking for? Such as Declination, Azimuth, or some other term I am painfully unfamiliar with?

Downlading the Photographers Ephermeris now, thanks!

[brantuk]

Did you scroll the table up to the headings - there's a column abelled "Azimuth" which is the compas bearing

[brantuk]

You also need to set the software up for the location you are considering

[Animal]

AZIMUTH! That is what I have been looking for. Thank you so very much. I have been muddling through all sorts of charts today trying to figure this out. The answer has been staring me in the face the whole time.

[brantuk]

Lol you're welcome Animal - glad you got sorted now - let me know how you get on with it