Rare lunar event could help explain Stonehenge
POTENTIAL connections between Stonehenge and the Moon are to be explored by scientists.
English Heritage, which administers the site, will work with experts from Oxford, Leicester and Bournemouth universities and the Royal Astronomical Society to research the alignment of the ancient stones with the moonrise and moonset during a rare major lunar standstill.
During a major lunar standstill, which occurs every 18.6 years, the northernmost and southernmost positions of the Moon are at their furthest apart along the horizon.
It is believed these distinct lunar movements may have been observed during the early phase of Stonehenge, potentially influencing the monument’s design and purpose.
Jennifer Wexler, English Heritage historian for Stonehenge, said: “We’re excited to be working with a brilliant team of archaeoastronomers to explore the fascinating link between Stonehenge and the major lunar standstill.
“Rarer even than once in a blue moon, this opportunity allows us to delve deeper into the monument’s ancient mysteries and its relationship with celestial phenomena.”
English Heritage will livestream the southernmost moonrise at Stonehenge and the charity will host a series of events throughout the standstill season including talks, a pop-up planetarium, stargazing and storytelling sessions, and a display.
Clive Ruggles emeritus professor of archaeoastronomy at the University of Leicester, said: “Stonehenge’s architectural connection to the sun is well known, but its link with the Moon is less well understood.
“The four Station Stones align with the Moon’s extreme positions, and researchers have debated for years whether this was deliberate, and, if so, how this was achieved and what might have been its purpose.”
The research will start this spring and run until mid-2025.