Illuminating Darkness: Symbolism and Science
The Symbolism and Science of NASA’s APEP Mission
“As the serpent sheds its skin, so can we shed our illusions during the eclipse.” — Esoteric Wisdom
Convergence
NASA is poised to conduct an ambitious scientific endeavor known as the Atmospheric Perturbations Around The Eclipse Path (APEP) project, which involves the launch of three scientific sounding rockets into the shadow cast by the moon during a partial solar eclipse scheduled for April 8, across North America. This unique celestial event will present itself as a total eclipse within a swath measuring 115 miles wide, affecting parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states, and Canada, while rendering a partial eclipse observable across the entire American continent. The primary objective of APEP is to closely examine the effects of the abrupt reduction in sunlight and the consequent drop in temperature on Earth’s upper atmosphere, areas that remain largely mysterious in their dynamic responses to such natural phenomena.
The project’s nomenclature, APEP, is rich in symbolic resonance, drawing inspiration from the ancient Egyptian mythology where Apep (or Apophis) is depicted as a gargantuan serpent, embodying chaos and darkness, perennially in conflict with Ra, the sun deity. This mythological allusion not only adds a layer of cultural depth to the mission but also reflects the intrinsic human fascination with celestial phenomena and the stories we weave around them.
For the execution of this mission, the launches are strategically planned not to aim for the totality of the eclipse but to commence from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Here, an 81% occlusion of the sun by the moon will be observed at precisely 15:33 EST, nestled within the broader eclipse event scheduled from 14:06 to 16:33 EST. This initiative builds upon the foundational work laid by a preceding mission on October 14, during another partial solar eclipse, where three rockets were successfully launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, penetrating the moon’s shadow and achieving altitudes between 216 and 219 miles. These rockets, having been recovered, are slated for re-launch as part of the APEP experiment’s second phase from Wallops, signifying NASA’s commitment to leveraging prior achievements for future explorations.
The technological intricacies of the APEP mission involve each rocket deploying four secondary instruments, akin to launching fifteen rockets in terms of data gathering capabilities. These instruments are designed to meticulously measure variations in atmospheric conditions, with a keen focus on detecting perturbations such as changes in electric and magnetic fields, as well as fluctuations in density and temperature within the ionosphere. This layer of the Earth’s atmosphere is critically important for the propagation of radio signals and the functionality of satellite communications, making the study of its behavior, especially during solar eclipses, of paramount importance for enhancing the reliability and efficiency of global communication networks.
By delving into the atmospheric disturbances caused by solar eclipses, the APEP project aims not only to advance our scientific understanding of the natural world but also to underscore the continuous dialogue between science and mythology, between exploration and narrative. It reaffirms NASA’s role in not just probing the unknown, but in connecting our past with our future, illustrating the perpetual human endeavor to comprehend the cosmos and our place within it. In this grand scheme, APEP stands as a testament to humanity’s relentless quest for knowledge, bridging the realms of the tangible and the mythical, the empirical and the symbolic, in our collective journey towards enlightenment.
Duality
Apep, also recognized by the Greek name Apophis, stands as a central figure of malevolence within ancient Egyptian mythology, emblematic of chaos and depicted most often as a colossal serpent or dragon. This entity represents the antithesis of cosmic order, directly opposing Ra, the revered sun god, embodying light, life, and order. Apep is believed to dwell in the dark recesses of the underworld, the Duat, where it lies in wait for the nightly passage of Ra’s solar barque, a mythic vessel carrying the sun through the underworld from sunset to sunrise.
The mythic confrontations between Ra and Apep are depicted as epic battles waged in the depths of the night, where Apep seeks to consume the sun, thereby extinguishing its life-giving light and plunging creation into eternal darkness. These stories are symbolic representations of the natural phenomena of solar eclipses, viewed by the ancient Egyptians as physical manifestations of this mythological struggle. The temporary obscuration of the sun during an eclipse was interpreted as Apep momentarily overpowering Ra, with the eventual re-emergence of the sun symbolizing Ra’s victory and the restoration of ma’at, the principle of order, truth, and righteousness that was foundational to Egyptian cosmology and society.
Unlike deities who were worshipped and revered, Apep was feared and reviled as the quintessence of chaos and evil. Ancient Egyptian rituals, spells, and magical incantations, often inscribed in texts such as the Book of the Dead and the Books of Overthrowing Apep, were dedicated to aiding Ra in his nightly battle and to thwart Apep’s attempts to disrupt the cosmic order. These texts contain detailed descriptions of the ritualistic dismemberment or burning of effigies representing Apep, practices believed to weaken the serpent’s power and ensure the continuation of the cycle of day and night, life and death.
Artistic depictions of Apep commonly show the serpent being violently subdued or killed by deities, particularly by Ra and his entourage of protector gods. These images served not only as visual affirmations of the sun god’s supremacy and the triumph of order over chaos but also as talismans to ward off evil and disorder from the lives of the people and the realm of the pharaoh, who was considered the earthly embodiment of divine order.
The enduring narrative of Ra’s victory over Apep encapsulates the ancient Egyptians’ profound relationship with the sun as a vital source of life and sustenance, as well as their deep-seated belief in the cyclical nature of existence and the necessity of maintaining cosmic harmony. Through the lens of this myth, the Egyptians expressed their understanding of the universe as a delicate balance between forces of order and chaos, a balance perpetually maintained through the divine actions of the gods and the ritual practices of the people. Apep, as the eternal adversary, symbolizes the challenges to this balance, making its defeat an essential recurring theme in Egyptian mythology and religious practice.
Symbolism
The choice to name NASA’s project APEP, drawing from the rich mythos of an ancient Egyptian deity symbolizing chaos and the swallowing of the sun during eclipses, is laden with profound symbolism that offers a fertile ground for interpretation, especially when juxtaposed against the mission’s scientific objectives.
At first glance, the use of APEP — a being representing the antithesis of light and order, a harbinger of darkness and chaos — appears to starkly contrast the quintessential goal of science: to illuminate the unknown, to bring order to chaos through understanding and knowledge. This juxtaposition serves as a poignant reminder of humanity’s perpetual dance with the unknown, echoing our ancestors’ awe and fear toward celestial phenomena, which they clothed in mythology to make sense of the world around them.
The project’s scientific endeavor, aimed at understanding the atmospheric perturbations caused by solar eclipses, mirrors humanity’s enduring quest to not only conquer darkness but to comprehend it, to extract meaning from the seemingly inscrutable. In this light, naming the mission APEP could be seen as a modern reclamation of this ancient narrative — where once there was fear and chaos, now there’s curiosity and pursuit of knowledge.
Moreover, the invocation of Apophis, and its linguistic cousin, apophenia — the tendency to perceive connections and meaning between unrelated things — enriches this tapestry of symbolism. Herein lies an intriguing layer: while apophenia might be dismissed in the realm of science, which seeks verifiable truths, the very act of naming a scientific mission after a figure of chaos hints at humanity’s intrinsic desire to find patterns, to seek meaning, even in the vast, indifferent cosmos.
This project, therefore, can be seen as a modern myth-making process, where science and mythology converge. By embarking on this mission during an eclipse — a moment that has captivated human imagination across cultures and ages with a blend of dread and wonder — NASA is not only advancing our understanding of the natural world but is also participating in the timeless human tradition of storytelling. In doing so, APEP serves as a metaphorical bridge between our mythological past and our scientific future, encapsulating our journey from interpreting celestial events as omens to understanding them as phenomena governed by the laws of physics.
Thus, the APEP project stands as a testament to humanity’s relentless quest for knowledge, a beacon that illuminates our path from the shadows of our ancestors’ fears into the light of understanding. In this odyssey, the symbolism embedded in the naming of the project reminds us that our journey to comprehend the universe is not just a scientific endeavor but also a deeply human pursuit, rich with myth, meaning, and the eternal quest to decipher the cosmos.
Epilogue
As the APEP project culminates its preparations and sets the stage for a groundbreaking journey into the shadow of the moon, it stands as a monumental testament to the fusion of human curiosity, scientific endeavor, and the rich tapestry of mythology that has accompanied our species since the dawn of civilization. This mission, embodying the spirit of exploration and the quest for knowledge, marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing dialogue with the cosmos — a dialogue that spans the realms of science, mythology, and the profound quest for understanding that defines our human condition.
In the shadow of Apep, where ancient myth and modern science converge, we find ourselves at the cusp of a new era of cosmic exploration. This mission is not merely a scientific operation; it is a symbolic journey into the heart of darkness and light, chaos and order, fear and enlightenment. As the rockets ascend into the eclipse, carrying with them our aspirations and questions, they also carry the legacy of our ancestors, who gazed upon the heavens with wonder and sought to make sense of the celestial dance above.
The APEP project, therefore, transcends the boundaries of a typical space mission. It becomes a beacon of hope and curiosity, illuminating the path for future explorers and scientists, poets and philosophers, to ponder the mysteries of the universe. By investigating the atmospheric perturbations caused by solar eclipses, NASA not only seeks to enhance our understanding of Earth’s upper atmosphere but also to deepen our connection to the cosmos, reminding us of the intricate web of existence that binds us to the stars.
As we await the data and discoveries that will emerge from this mission, we are reminded of the enduring power of human curiosity and the unbreakable bond between our past and our future. The APEP project serves as a bridge across time, linking the ancient world with the present, and paving the way for future generations to continue our eternal quest for knowledge. It stands as a symbol of our never-ending journey to explore the unknown, to understand the cosmos, and to find our place within the vast, mysterious universe.
In this grand exploration, the story of Apep and Ra, of chaos and order, of darkness and light, is retold — not as a myth of ancient times, but as a living narrative that continues to unfold. Through the lens of the APEP project, we are invited to witness the dawn of a new chapter in human exploration, one that honors our mythological past while boldly reaching for the stars. As we gaze upon the eclipse, let it serve as a reminder of our shared journey — a journey of discovery, wonder, and the eternal pursuit of knowledge that connects us all under the same starlit sky.
