CHIMNEY ROCK
-- MAJOR LUNAR STANDSTILL --
3. What Will The Moon Do At Chimney Rock In 2004 - 2008?
The Moon has been moving northward along the horizon since 1996. It has now gone farther north than the Sun ever ventures, and has touched the eastern base of Chimney Rock, the taller eastern tower. In 2002 and 2003, once or twice a month it rose behind the massive tower of Chimney Rock itself, and in 2004, it will begin to rise between Companion and Chimney Rocks. There it will pause, playing out its complex cycle of phases and full moonrises until 2007, and then it will move south of the gap between the twin spires again. The next time it will approach the gap between the twin spires will be in the year AD 2022.
The cycle is complex. For the first half of each year, January through June, the Moon will rise during the day, in phases from near-full down to thin crescent, rising earlier each month from early afternoon to early morning. In July the Moon will rise between the rocks as a nearly invisible new Moon, just around dawn. From August through November, the waxing Moon will rise between the rocks from crescent to nearly full, rising earlier each month during the nighttime from just before dawn to just before sunset. Finally the full Moon will rise between the rocks at sunset near the Winter Solstice in December.
This cycle will repeat from December 2004 into 2007, giving ample opportunity for visitors to find a time and event that meets their schedule and abilities. We hope to install remote cameras to make real-time viewing available to those who cannot hike the high, narrow trail in the dead of winter to stand in the physical presence of the Moonrise.
1. What Happens During The Major Standstill Of The Moon?
2. How Could The Great House Capture The Moon And The Stars?
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Hours of Operation: In-Season May 15 - September 30, Daily 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Guided Walking Tour Schedule: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.
Location: 3 miles South of Hwy 160 on Hwy 151 (map)
Mailing Address: Chimney Rock Interpretive Program, P.O. Box 1662, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Phone: (970)883-5359 Visitor's Cabin In-season, (970)264-2287 Leave Message Off-season
E-mail: chimneyrock@chimneyrockco.org
Download Chimney Rock Brochure
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