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Gather round, astronomy buffs and spirituality fiends – there's a major rare lunar event on its way. This year we’ll get to witness a major lunar standstill, which is a phenomenon that last took place in 2006. A major lunar standstill is when the northernmost and southernmost moonrise and moonset are furthest apart
Fun fact: it’s believed that this particular lunar occurrence played a significant part in the design of Stonehenge. The monument’s four Station Stones (the ones forming a rectangle around it) align with the moon’s most extreme positions (as you can see in the picture above), which is where it will be during the standstill.
Keen to see the major lunar standstill? Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the phenomenon for yourself.
What is a lunar standstill and why is it called that?
A major lunar standstill is when moonrise and moonset are furthest apart, meaning that the moon rises and sets most extreme northerly and southerly positions on the horizon. This makes for a very dramatic night-sky view.
It’s called a standstill because the moon appears to stay in the sky for longer.
When is the major lunar standstill happening in the UK?
It will happen over an extended period of time. Your best chance at enjoying it in its full glory will be during full moons, which for the rest of the year will be on:
- June 21-22
- July 21
- August 19
- September 17
- October 17
- November 15
- December 15
This week is a particularly good week to catch the spectacle as it happens to also be summer solstice and we’ll see a full moon on Friday.
How can I watch the lunar standstill in the UK?
If you want to see the major lunar standstill with your own eyes, simply head outside and look up.
English Heritage is streaming the celestial event from Stonehenge over on YouTube. You can tune in on Friday, June 21 from 9.30pm.
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