Stonehenge to explore monument's relationship with the Moon
They've had 90 local school children track the moonrise and moonset lines
The connection between the Moon and Stonehenge is being explored by English Heritage for now until next Spring.
It coincides with the Major Lunar Standstill - a rare astronomical event occurring only every 18.6 years.
Experts think the phenomenon may have played a pivotal role in the design and purpose of Stonehenge.
To kickstart the activities through until next Spring, 90 children from Larkhill Primary and the Stonehenge School in Amesbury have gathered for a special aerial photo to capture the possible alignment of the moon at the stone circle.
It's thought the alignment of the four Station Stones tallies up with the southernmost moonrise or looking the other way, the northernmost moonset, sparking debate about whether this alignment was intentional.
Events to mark the Major Lunar Standstill at Stonehenge in the coming months include:
- A celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival on Sunday (September 15th). Dance, music, dragon performances, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi will take over the monument site
- An exhibition at the Stonehenge visitor centre from October 26th to December 31st, focusing on ongoing research about the Moon’s influence on this iconic site and the people who built and used it
- Moons and Megaliths at the Stonehenge Planetarium from October 26th to November 3rd - step inside a pop-up planetarium and embark on a journey through the solar system with an expert astronomer.
- Lunar storytelling at Stonehenge every weekend from December to February, exploring moon myths, beliefs, and stories from various cultures, including Druids and Native Americans.