THE Moon may have influenced the building of Stonehenge, and a collaborative project from a number of universities will attempt to prove this.
English Heritage has announced a new project to explore the connection between Stonehenge and the Moon during the ‘major lunar standstill’, which occurs this year, and into next.
Along with experts from Oxford, Leicester and Bournemouth Universities, as well as the Royal Astronomical Society, the charity will embark on a series of investigations to research the alignment of the ancient stones with the moonrise and moonset during this almost once-in-a-generation period.
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During a major lunar standstill, the northernmost and southernmost positions of the Moon are at their furthest apart along the horizon, and it is believed that these distinct lunar movements may have been observed during the early phase of Stonehenge, potentially influencing the later monument’s design and purpose.
With a major lunar standstill occurring only every 18.6 years, Professor Clive Ruggles of Leicester University, Dr Fabio Silva of Bournemouth University and Dr Amanda Chadburn of Bournemouth University and the University of Oxford have seized the rare chance to research the phenomena.
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. We’ll be inviting the public to join us through a series of events this year as we take one more small step towards unravelling of the secrets Stonehenge."
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To bring this research to life, English Heritage will livestream the southernmost moonrise at Stonehenge and the charity will host a series of events throughout the standstill including talks, a pop-up planetarium, stargazing and storytelling sessions, and a new display in the exhibition space.
English Heritage will also facilitate cross-continental observations of this celestial spectacle, by working with Prof. Erica Ellingson, emeritus professor of astrophysics at the University of Colorado Boulder, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, for a series of reciprocal events showcasing and debating the lunar alignments at Stonehenge and at Chimney Rock, Colorado, a Chacoan ancient settlement.
Professor Clive Ruggles Emeritus Professor of Archaeoastronomy in the School of Archaeology and Ancient History at Leicester University, 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 in Spring 2024 and run until mid-2025. To find out more about Stonehenge, its possible connection to the Moon and the ways in which you can get involved, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk
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