Callanish stone circle located on Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Callanish stone circle located on Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland Anthropomorphic landscape feature: 'Sleeping Beauty' or 'Cailleach Mhòr' (Old Woman of the Moors) Lunar standstill moonrise occurs from Sleeping Beauty landscape figure
Scotland's Callanish stone circle aligns with the moon's 18.6-year standstill cycle. Standing at the circle, the standstill moon rises from the 'belly' of the Sleeping Beauty figure. Researchers captured this rare alignment.
Key Facts
- Callanish stone circle located on Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
- Anthropomorphic landscape feature: 'Sleeping Beauty' or 'Cailleach Mhòr' (Old Woman of the Moors)
- Lunar standstill moonrise occurs from Sleeping Beauty landscape figure
- Moon rises from belly of anthropomorphic landscape feature when viewed from stone circle
- Moon passes between stones during standstill alignment
- Lunar standstill cycle repeats every 18.6 years
- Antiquarian Society conducted observational mission for lunar standstill documentation
- Successfully captured clear moonrise photograph during observation
- Demonstrates deliberate siting of stone circle to align with specific lunar phenomena
Related site: Callinish Standing Stones [Island of Lewis] - Callanish II — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Introduction to Astro-Archaeology | Stuart Mason | Megalithomania 2007 Conference | Audio Only by MegalithomaniaUK