CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A celestial event not seen since 2006 will captivate sky watchers as the Moon’s Great Stillness begins, marking the extremes of the Moon’s orbit around Earth. This rare event, known as Lunistice, occurs every 18.6 years and will be observed throughout 2024 and much of 2025.

The Griffith Observatory explained that during a great lunar standstill, the moon reaches its northernmost and southernmost positions on the horizon. “Over an 18.6-year cycle, the Moon’s greatest north and south positions extend beyond those of the Sun,” the observatory said. “And just as the sun lingers at its boundaries each solstice, once the moon reaches these extremes, its boundaries do not appear to change.”

Unlike a solar eclipse, this phenomenon can be observed from anywhere on Earth. The full moon is the most spectacular time to witness this event.

The upcoming full moon on December 15, known as the Cold Moon, will rise and set on the horizon at its northernmost points. According to NASA, the Cold Moon, also called the Long Night Moon, occurs closest to the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.

The Moon’s orbit is tilted 5.1 degrees from the ecliptic, allowing it to rise and set within a range of 57 degrees in any given month.

Historic sites such as Stonehenge, Callanish and Newgrange appear to be aligned with lunar rising and setting points during a major lunar standstill, indicating the past significance of the celestial event.

The next northernmost moonrise and sunset after this weekend will not occur until December 2043.