Rare ‘lunar standstill’ not seen since 2006 is visible tonight

SKYGAZERS around the world will be treated to a celestial spectacle as a rare “moon standstill” will take place tonight.

For the first time in almost twenty years, the moon will rise and set periodically at its most extreme points, providing some of the most stunning moonscapes.

This natural phenomenon, known as ‘great lunar standstill’, occurs only once every 18.6 years and lasts about two years.

It is already taking place and is in full glory during full moons.

During this time, the moon’s path in the sky will be more extreme than normal, as it will travel higher in the sky and descend lower, reaching the furthest points north and south.

This means that if you look at where the moon rises and sets on the horizon, you will see it in places you are not used to.

Normally, the moon’s declination (how far it moves north or south of the equator) changes.

During a major lunar standstill it reaches its maximum range, moving between about 28.6 degrees north latitude and 28.6 degrees south latitude.

In some places the moon will remain visible longer at night because it is higher in the sky.

These effects are due to the tilt of the Moon’s orbit around Earth, which is affected by the gravity of the Sun and Earth’s equator.

When a major lunar standstill occurs, these tilts are emphasized, making the moon’s movements clearer and more noticeable.

Tonight’s full moon will provide some extreme views of the lunar phenomenon, as the moon will rise and set at its southernmost points and travel very low across the sky.

The current major lunar standstill is said to reach its peak in January next year, but it can also be seen on six other dates this year.

Archaeologists will watch the moon appear over Stonehenge this evening, as the historic site has a recognized connection with the sun.

Researchers such as Fabio Silva from Bournemouth University will now investigate whether Stonehenge has a link with the moon.

They’ve been studying the moon’s extremes from Stonehenge, but Silva says the weather has frequently interfered with that.

Tonight’s full moon will therefore mark the next big opportunity for the project.

He told Smithsonian Magazine: “We had two opportunities [a] month since February, but we were only able to observe it three times due to the weather.

‘If we manage to observe it [on Friday]we are interested in recording where and when it will first appear, how it will be framed by the stone circle as it moves across the sky and to assess whether the alignment of Station Stones and the large stationary moon was intentional or merely coincidental .

When can you see the lunar standstill?

The great lunar standstill is not something that happens in one day, but over a period of time.

The last time we saw a major standstill was in 2006.

The next one begins in 2024, when the moon’s declination becomes more extreme.

Those who want a beautiful view of the sky can watch a livestream of the southernmost moonrise at Stonehenge.

For avid skywatchers, the standstill is expected to be most extreme in late 2024 to early 2025.

The best time to see the effects of the standstill is around the equinoxes in September 2024 and March 2025.

The equinoxes are when the lengths of days and nights are approximately equal.

If you regularly look at the moon from the same location, you should see significant changes in the way it appears to move across the sky over the weeks and months.

The upcoming equinoxes are expected to occur on September 22, 2024 and March 20, 2025.