Research Explores Stonehenge’s Lunar Alignments

A significant study by academics and students from Bournemouth University is ongoing, investigating potential alignments between Stonehenge and the Moon’s positions. Initiated in April, this research delves into the connection between the ancient monument and a major lunar standstill, an astronomical event occurring every 18.6 years. This phenomenon is characterized by the widest separation of moonrise and moonset points on the horizon. Saturday coincides with the winter solstice, a time when the Earth is positioned at its furthest point from the Sun. Fabio Silva, who serves as the deputy head of Bournemouth University’s department of archaeology and anthropology, stated: “We already know that the architecture of Stonehenge is one of the earliest examples of prehistoric people investigating and documenting the position of the sun.” Dr. Silva further commented, “We have a rare opportunity to investigate a major lunar standstill and understand whether the architecture of the stones was also influenced by those early humans observing the positions of the moon.” Throughout 2024, students from Bournemouth have made visits to Stonehenge to observe moonrises and moonsets, specifically when the Moon appears to align with the Station Stones. These stones are components of the prehistoric monument. Initially, there were four such stones, arranged to resemble the corners of a rectangle, though only two are still present today. Stonehenge is extensively recognized for its association with solar movements, especially during the summer solstice, a time when thousands gather at the monument in the early morning to observe the sunrise. BBC Dorset is available for following on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Details on our approach to external linking are accessible.