We observe the major lunar stasis by looking at where the Moon rises on the eastern horizon and where it sets on the western horizon. Thus, the major lunar stasis is similar to the observation of the Sun at the time of solstice. TeaThat solstice represents the southernmost (winter) and northernmost (summer) sunrise and sunset positions on the horizon. Sunset lines are drawn on the observatory’s lower western roof (as shown, at the winter solstice).
When observed with the naked eye, the position of the sunset on Sankranti does not appear to change for several days. Because the sunset appears to be stationary, the time when it occurs is called the solstice, which means “sun standing still” in Latin.
Over the course of a year the Sun slowly swings from one zenith to the other and back again. These extreme positions of sunrise and sunset remain the same for thousands of years. People throughout history have looked to the rising and setting sun as a reliable way to calibrate the calendar.