Pyramids = were they pointing at supernova?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential connection between the Egyptian pyramids and supernova events, specifically whether the pyramids were aligned to point towards the Orion Nebula in relation to historical supernova occurrences. The scope includes astronomical observations, historical timelines, and the significance of celestial alignments in ancient Egyptian culture.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the Egyptian pyramids point towards the Orion Nebula, which raises questions about their alignment with historical supernova events.
  • One participant questions whether the pyramids were built to point at a location where a supernova would occur in the future, suggesting a misunderstanding of the timeline.
  • Another participant clarifies that the Orion Nebula is classified as an H II region and not a supernova remnant, contrasting it with the Crab Nebula, which is associated with a known supernova event.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about whether any bright events in the Orion Nebula could have been observed by the Egyptians, indicating a lack of evidence for such occurrences around the time of the pyramids.
  • There is a suggestion that the pyramids may align more closely with the stars of Orion's belt rather than the Orion Nebula itself.
  • One participant mentions that the pyramids were constructed nearly 4000 years before the recorded supernova event (SN 1054), questioning the possibility of a connection.
  • Another participant acknowledges the Crab Nebula as an example of a supernova remnant, noting that it was observable during the day, while expressing skepticism about the visibility of any events in the Orion Nebula during the time of the pyramids.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the connection between the pyramids and supernova events, with multiple competing views regarding the significance of the Orion Nebula and the alignment of the pyramids. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential visibility of any supernova-related events to the ancient Egyptians.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about visibility of astronomical events, the definitions of nebula classifications, and the historical timelines of both the pyramids and supernova occurrences. These factors contribute to the complexity of the discussion.

Chaballa
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Egyptian pyramids(constructed 2630 BCE–2611 BCE) according to wiki, and they point to Orion Nebula.

"The creation of the Crab Nebula corresponds to the bright SN 1054 supernova that was recorded by Chinese astronomers and Arab astronomers in 1054 AD" according to wiki.

Would it be possible Egyptian pyramids pointed to the supernova from Orion Nebula considering the age of the Orion Nebula and Egyptian pyramids?
 
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I'm not sure of the dates here, but it sounds like you're asking if the pyramids (build before the supernova?), were built to point to where it would occur. Is this correct?

If so, no to be blunt.
 
No, sorry if i wasn't clear. I meant the reason Egyptian pyramids pointing to the Orion Nebula is due to supernova that occurred before the pyramids were built.
 
Chaballa said:
No, sorry if i wasn't clear. I meant the reason Egyptian pyramids pointing to the Orion Nebula is due to supernova that occurred before the pyramids were built.

Well I don't know much on the subject, but it would depend on if they could observe it.

If the light only "arrived" with use later (when we would observe it), after construction, then no.
 
Chaballa said:
No, sorry if i wasn't clear. I meant the reason Egyptian pyramids pointing to the Orion Nebula is due to supernova that occurred before the pyramids were built.

You appear to be wanting to know something like the following:

1. Is it possible that the Orion Nebula is a supernova remnant, in the same way as the Crab Nebula is?

2. If so, is it possible that the supernova might have occurred at a time when it was visible to the Egyptians, leading them to attribute a special importance on the Orion Nebula?

The Orion Nebula is classified as an H II region "diffuse nebula" rather than a supernova remnant, and is quite different in appearance from the Crab Nebula. It is of course possible that some bright event could have occurred within it during human history, but I'm not aware of any evidence for such an event around the time of the pyramids. (In contrast, the recent expansion of the Crab Nebula can be extrapolated back to a supernova recorded by Chinese and Arab astronomers in 1054).
 
Chaballa said:
Egyptian pyramids(constructed 2630 BCE–2611 BCE) according to wiki, and they point to Orion Nebula.

"The creation of the Crab Nebula corresponds to the bright SN 1054 supernova that was recorded by Chinese astronomers and Arab astronomers in 1054 AD" according to wiki.

Would it be possible Egyptian pyramids pointed to the supernova from Orion Nebula considering the age of the Orion Nebula and Egyptian pyramids?

According to the dates you give, the pyramids were built nearly 4000 yrs BEFORE the supernova event. Not sure how they could be connected.
 
Jonathan Scott said:
The Orion Nebula is classified as an H II region "diffuse nebula" rather than a supernova remnant, and is quite different in appearance from the Crab Nebula. It is of course possible that some bright event could have occurred within it during human history, but I'm not aware of any evidence for such an event around the time of the pyramids. (In contrast, the recent expansion of the Crab Nebula can be extrapolated back to a supernova recorded by Chinese and Arab astronomers in 1054).

i think perhaps the OP is confusing the Orion Nebula with the entire complex that is the constellation of Orion. after all, while the pyramids of Giza point in the general direction of Orion, i believe they more accurately line up with Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka (the 3 stars of Orion's belt) than they do with the Orion Nebula itself, which, as I'm sure you already know makes up but a small fraction of the entire area of sky that is the Orion Complex. so in that respect, i'd have to reply to the OP's question about whether ancient Egyptians built the pyramids of Giza in homage to a supernova remnant visible around the time they were built with a "no...i don't believe so." honestly i think the Egyptians were more or less trying to line the pyramids up with the stars in Orion's belt.

now with regard to supernova remnants, i agree with you that the Orion Nebula itself (the small bright yellow-orange nebula in the lower-center of the below image) is not a Supernova remnant, the greater Orion complex sure as heck looks like a supernova remnant, given the ring of outwardly expanding gas:
Orion_20.jpg
 
Jonathan Scott said:
You appear to be wanting to know something like the following:

1. Is it possible that the Orion Nebula is a supernova remnant, in the same way as the Crab Nebula is?

2. If so, is it possible that the supernova might have occurred at a time when it was visible to the Egyptians, leading them to attribute a special importance on the Orion Nebula?
si :)

The Orion Nebula is classified as an H II region "diffuse nebula" rather than a supernova remnant, and is quite different in appearance from the Crab Nebula. It is of course possible that some bright event could have occurred within it during human history, but I'm not aware of any evidence for such an event around the time of the pyramids. (In contrast, the recent expansion of the Crab Nebula can be extrapolated back to a supernova recorded by Chinese and Arab astronomers in 1054).
Yer according to wiki SN1054 is 5th supernova recorded in our history.. and we don't have any details on supernova from Orion Nebula.

Integral said:
According to the dates you give, the pyramids were built nearly 4000 yrs BEFORE the supernova event. Not sure how they could be connected.
Crab Nebula was just an example cos i was told that SN1054 was observable even during day time.
 
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