Salisbury, England – Stonehenge, an iconic monument that has long captivated people’s imaginations, is now the focus of new research. While its alignment with the Sun during solstices is well-known, scholars are turning their attention to a potential lunar connection.
The stone circle’s alignment with the summer solstice and winter solstice sunrises and sunsets has been a point of interest. However, researchers are now examining the station stones, which appear to be linked to lunar movements. Unlike the annual changes seen with the Sun, the Moon’s position during moonrise and moonset shifts over an 18.6-year cycle.
During this cycle, known as the major lunar standstill, the Moon’s declination moves dramatically every month. The next major standstill is expected to last until January 2025, prompting researchers to closely study Stonehenge’s potential alignment with the Moon.
Heather Sebire, senior property curator of Stonehenge, noted the significance of the Moon to the ancient builders. She suggested that the moon’s phases may have provided extra light for tasks during full moons. The presence of the station stones, forming a rectangle outside the circle, hints at a possible connection to lunar events.
As scholars delve deeper into this lunar alignment, Stonehenge is welcoming visitors to partake in the exploration. Visitors are traditionally allowed to enter the circle during the summer solstice, offering a unique experience this year due to its early occurrence. Following the solstice, attention will shift to the lunar standstill event.
The lunar standstill moonrise event, scheduled for 2034, will be available for viewers through an online livestream. This opportunity allows people to join researchers in pondering whether Stonehenge’s design also incorporates celestial alignments beyond the Sun.