German archaeoastronomer Dr Steinrücken of Westfälische Volkssternwarte Recklinghausen has determined, that the stone cist grave in Dalmer has an astronomical alignment. The north-eastern horizon from the direction of the stone cist grave is dominated by the (for Münsterland conditions) prominent ridge of the Höxberg. In fact, the northern rising points of the moon – seen from the stone cist grave – frame the mountain flanks of the Höxberg at the Great and Small Lunar Equinox. The longitudinal axis of the tomb is aligned extremely precisely with the rising point of the Great Lunar Equinox.

Astronomically, these extreme situations of moonrise occur because the orbital inclinations of the ecliptic (apparent solar orbit) of 23.5° and moon's orbit of 5° against the earth's equator add up to 28.5° or subtract to 18.5°. The fact, that these special astronomical constellations helped to determine the choice of location for a communal burial ground, which was used for centuries, shows the importance of celestial events for the people of that time.

Sun's point of rising (yellow) moves back and forth between a southernmost point in winter and a northernmost point in summer during the course of the year. Moon's point of rising also moves back and forth between a southernmost and a northernmost point within one lunar cycle (approx. 27 days). However, these extreme moonrise points are not constant: every 18.6 years, these two extreme moonrise points are significantly further apart, than the extreme sunrise points, or major lunar solstice (red), in between, the two extreme moonrise points are significantly less far apart than the extreme sunrise points, or minor lunar solstice (blue).

Hint: Lunar standstill