November 16, 2025
Hold my crater—the Moon’s big flex
Extreme Moon: The Major Lunar Standstill of 2024-2025
Two years of extreme moonrises spark memes, turf wars, and date-night chaos
TLDR: The Moon is entering a rare two‑year phase where it rises and sets at extreme points—happening now. Fans plan full‑moon watch parties while comments explode into science vs astrology vs memes, arguing how dramatic this really is and why it’s worth looking up.
The Moon is doing a two‑year flex called the major lunar standstill, and the internet is losing it. Every 18.6 years, the Moon rises and sets at its most extreme northern and southern points, and 2024–2025 is the show. Griffith Observatory lined its terrace with moonset markers and stacked full‑moon watch parties so you can see it from anywhere. Comments split hard: hype squad calling it a once‑in‑two‑decades must‑see vs skeptics shrugging “it’s just the Moon.” Guides are trending, with people sharing event details and simple explainers on why this happens.
Drama is peak. Science nerds clap back at “the Moon is broken” posts, romantics book date nights, and photographers fight for terrace angles like Comic‑Con for moonrises. Memes land: “Standstill? My rent doesn’t,” and “70‑degree Moonrise speedrun.” Debates flare—astronomy explainers vs astrology vibes—while pet parents swear their dogs go wolf. Expect monthly extremes, best at full Moon, for nearly two years, with the Moon popping up north or south of usual Sun paths. No eclipse, no doom—just a rare sky show worth looking up.
Key Points
- •A major lunar standstill occurs every 18.6 years, with the Moon’s rise/set positions reaching extreme northern and southern limits.
- •The 2024–2025 standstill can be observed worldwide and lasts for nearly two years, unlike brief solar solstices.
- •Griffith Observatory is organizing broadcasts and events and has inlaid moonset and sunset lines for precise viewing.
- •During the standstill, the Moon’s horizon positions can shift about 70 degrees within a month while phases proceed normally.
- •Best viewing occurs at full Moon; the Observatory will highlight the most visible events through the end of 2025.