Don't blame anyone for being confused (which doesn't mean I'm not)
Depending on where you look, you'll get different answers.
Can't remember where I found this, but it was on some site a few months ago:
> Due to the northerly latitude of the British Isles and especially at the
> beautiful stone circle of Callanish on the western Isles of Lewis in the
> Outer Hebrides of Scotland, there is an amazing phenomenon to be seen. In
> March and September of 2006, the Moon will reach its most southerly
> declination. However, the most impressive viewing will be the full moon of
> July 2006, which will be the fullest Moon at its most southerly
declination.
> The phenomena we hope to see is the Moon rising out of the sleeping beauty
> in the Parc Mountains, just skimming the horizon and setting in the
> beautiful stone circle of Callanish. This is a truly rare phenomena only
> happening every 18.6 years.
>
>
> On 29th September 2006, the moon has a maximum declination of -29.6415
> degrees, thus reaching its furthest south. (This figure is specific to the
> latitude and longitude of Callanish). This declination gives an altitude
of
> just under 2.5 degrees at due south, so that the moon will appear very
close
> to ground level. However, on 29 Sept 06, only 42.6% of the moon's disc
will
> be illuminated and the moonset will occur at about 5.40 p.m., when the sky
> will not be dark.
> The moon, however, reaches positions nearly as far south in months before
> and after the maximum. The spectacle of the moon among the stones is more
> impressive nearer full moon and during the hours of darkness, even if the
> moon is slightly higher. Thus May, June and July are to be preferred - as
> well as having a greater likelihood of clear weather.
> The times given in the table are for the moon at due south. The moon rises
> from the hills of the 'Sleeping Beauty approximately 1.5 hours before
this;
> and appears among the stones of the circle about one hour after the time
> given. (In both cases, give or take ten minutes.)
> Members of the Stones Mailing List, who correspond regularly by e-mail,
> intend to meet up at Callanish in order to view the moon rising, skimming,
> setting and re-gleaming on June 12th and 13th 2006.
>
Anyway, they seem to think that the best one will be in July - but they are going in June !?!?
Also the dates are different to the ones being bandied about here. I also viewed some lunar calendar which said that the July one is actually on the 9th (the Sunday night)
Somebody must have the definitive answer? Anyone?
My other concern is that the calendar I viewed said that it would happen at about 10.30pm for the July one - surely, it won't be fully dark then?
moey
