The Comet Thrower...

pictograph in upper Hellroaring Canyon is a huge anthropomorphic figure that appears to toss (catch?) a comet! I chose today for a sporting (climbing) descent into the canyon to visit this fascinating panel because around 11 am on the 30th of May a narrow shaft of light illuminates the figure for only a few fleeting minutes. I wanted to witness this archeoastronomical event for myself. It was just me and the Thrower today. Priceless.

Comet Thrower pictograph in the shade, showing multicolor pigments used by the artist. Image spans about two meters in width, and three meters in height. This guy is big and the comet is distinctly yellow!

Comet Thrower pictograph in the shade, showing multicolor pigments used by the artist. Image spans about two meters in width, and three meters in height. This guy is big and the comet is distinctly yellow!

The curvature of the rim of the Wingate Sandstone escarpment controls the play of the Sun’s rays on the big wall, especially on the Comet Thrower pictograph (lower left). Those are the Kachina Spires in the distant lower right.

The curvature of the rim of the Wingate Sandstone escarpment controls the play of the Sun’s rays on the big wall, especially on the Comet Thrower pictograph (lower left). Those are the Kachina Spires in the distant lower right.

A triangular beam of light sweeps across the Comet Thrower between 10:50 am to 11:00 am on 30 May every year. The brightening occurs very slowly at first, a subtle thing, then proceeds in a counter-clockwise movement as it becomes increasingly lit. Wonderful.

A triangular beam of light sweeps across the Comet Thrower between 10:50 am to 11:00 am on 30 May every year. The brightening occurs very slowly at first, a subtle thing, then proceeds in a counter-clockwise movement as it becomes increasingly lit. Wonderful.

Tip of the hat goes to RT of Castleton who alerted me to this phenomenon that he first observed years ago. Thanks!