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CHIMNEY ROCK
-- MAJOR LUNAR STANDSTILL --
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We have completed all of our public programs for the 2004 to 2008 Major Lunar Standstill season. Thanks to everyone who made this program such a success. The next opportunity to view the Major Lunar Standstill at Chimney Rock will not be until approximately 2022.

Major Lunar Standstill Moonrise on 12/26/04
Click on Photo for Moonrise Slide Show
Photo by Helen Richardson

MLS INFORMATION
2007 was the last year of this MLS cycle's three year season at the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area. As seen from the site's Fire Tower, the moon rose periodically between the two stone pillars that give the site its name. This spectacular sight, which occurs on a regular cycle every 18.6 years, is believed to have influenced construction of the Chacoan-style Great House atop Chimney Rock's high mesa.

July and August MLS had crescent moonrises, September MLS was a quarter moonrise (half of the moon illuminated), October MLS was a Gibbous moon (bulging; more than a half moon), and November MLS was a nearly full moonrise. The duration of the moon's passing between the spires was different for each rising but generally lasted from five to fifteen minutes.

RESOURCES
  1. Aveni, Anthony F. Stairways to the Stars: Skywatching the Three Ancient Cultures. Wiley Publishing, Reprint 1999. ISBN#0471329762.
  2. Aveni, Anthony F. Skywatchers: A Revised and Updated Version of Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico. Univ. of Texas., Rev. Edition 2001. ISBN#0292705026.
  3. Aveni, Anthony F. (Forward), David H. Kelley, and Eugene F. Malone. Exploring Ancient Skies: An Encyclopedic Survey of Archeoastronomy. Springer Publishing, 2004. ISBN#0387953108.
  4. Brocious, Dan. "In The Skies", American Archaeology, Summer 1998.
  5. Carlson, John B. (W. James Judge, Editor). Astronomy and Ceremony in the Prehistoric Southwest. Papers of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, No 2. Maxwell Museum of Anthropology Publishing, 1987. ISBN#0912535032.
  6. Fabian, Stephen M. Patterns in the Sky, An Introduction to Ethnoastronomy. Waveland Press. ISBN#1577661818.
  7. Hoskins, M.A., editor. "The Ethnoastronomy of the Historic Pueblos ll, Moon Watching", Journal for the History of Astronomy, No. 10. Science History Publications, LTD, 1986.
  8. Malville, J. McKim and Gary Matlock, editors. The Chimney Rock Archaeological Symposium Book. USDA Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experimental Station USDA, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1990 (Reprint 1993).
  9. Malville, J. McKim and Claudia Putnam. Prehistoric Astronomy in the Southwest. Johnson Books, Rev. Edition 1993. ISBN#1555661165.
  10. Malville, J. McKim. Chimney Rock: The Ultimate Outlier. Lexington Books, 2004. ISBN#0739108360.
  11. Williamson, Ray A. Astronomy in the Americas. Ballena Press Anthropological Papers, No 22. Ballena Press, 1981. ISBN#0879190949.
  12. Williamson, Ray A. Living The Sky: The Cosmos of the American Indian. University of Oklahoma, 1987. ISBN#0806120347.
Lunar Standstill Articles
   1. What Happens During The Major Standstill Of The Moon?
   2. How Could The Great House Capture The Moon And The Stars?
   3. What Will The Moon Do At Chimney Rock In 2004 - 2008?


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
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