Jun 18, 2024 08:00:00

The longest period of time the moon will remain in the sky in about 18 years, known as Lunistis, will occur soon.

Lunar stationary (lunistis) refers to the moon reaching a position where it rises or sets from its northernmost or southernmost point in a month. Because the moon does not move on the same orbit every time, this lunar stationary position changes every 18.6 years. The most recent lunistis occurred in 2006, so the next one is expected to occur in late 2024 to 2025. Live Science, a science media outlet, explains the details.

The first 'major lunar standstill' in more than 18 years is about to occur. Here's how to see it. | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/space/the-moon/the-1st-major-lunar-standstill-in-more-than-18-years-is-about-to-occur-heres-how-to-see-it

The position where the Moon rises and sets above the horizon is constantly changing due to the movements of the Earth and Moon. The planets in the solar system revolve on a plane centered on the Sun called the ecliptic , and the Earth revolves around an axis tilted at 23.4 degrees to the ecliptic, so the Sun appears to rise and set at an angle of about 47 degrees between when it reaches its highest point after rising and when it sets. On the other hand, the Moon's orbit is tilted at 5.1 degrees to the ecliptic, so the Moon rises and sets within a range of 57 degrees. In short, the Moon appears to move over a wider range than the Sun, so it can appear above the horizon further north or south than the Sun, and it can appear higher even on the summer solstice, when the Sun is at its highest.

During the lunar lunar month, when the moon rises and sets at its highest angle, known as Lunistis, it rises in the farthest northeast and sets in the farthest northwest (or rises in the farthest southeast and sets in the farthest southwest). Because the moon travels a wider area, it appears to stay in the sky longer.

At historical sites such as

Stonehenge and Callanish in Scotland, it is known that the moon rises and sets during Lnistis, and research by the Royal Astronomical Society has shown that the phenomenon of the moon remaining there for the longest time may have been important in the past. Jennifer Wexler, a historian at English Heritage, which manages historical sites in the UK, said, 'Because Lnistis is a long cycle, archaeologists have not had many opportunities to observe and study it at Stonehenge. This year, we will study this rare opportunity in depth and also invite the public to participate through a series of events as another small step towards unlocking the secrets of Stonehenge.'

According to Live Science, the next Lunistis will be most noticeable around the spring and autumn equinoxes in September 2024 and March 2025. However, the appearance will vary depending on the phase of the moon, the observation location, and the weather, so it will be best to observe the moment the moon rises or sets during a full moon.