Lunar standstill and declination
Explore the 18.6-year lunar standstill cycle and calculate the year’s northernmost and southernmost lunar declinations.
2026 declination extremes
- Northern extreme
- 28.43° · 25 February 2026 at 23:14 GMT
- Southern extreme
- -28.41° · 12 February 2026 at 12:47 GMT
- Northern extreme Moonrise
- 40.1° from true north
- Southern extreme Moonrise
- 139.8° from true north
Declination is measured from Earth’s centre. Rise bearings apply to latitude 51.5074° at an ideal 0° horizon. Major standstill brings the widest north-south range of Moonrise over an 18.6-year cycle; minor standstill brings the narrowest. The recent major standstill centred on 2024–2025, with the next minor period around 2034 and major period around 2043.
For where the Moon lies at your chosen time, open the position calculator.