What is the stonehenge?
A very, very long time ago — more than 4,000 years ago — people in England built something amazing. They didn’t have machines, cars, or cranes, but they built a giant circle of stones we now call Stonehenge.
Imagine huge rocks, some taller than a giraffe and heavier than a bus, standing upright in a big ring. Some of them even have other stones lying across the top, like giant stone doorways. The smaller stones came all the way from mountains in Wales, which is about 150 miles away. Nobody knows exactly how they carried them, but probably with ropes, wooden rollers, and lots of teamwork.
Stonehenge is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. It’s located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, and is thought to have been built between 3000 BCE and 2000 BCE.
The Heel Stone
The Heel Stone is a single large block of sarsen stone standing within the Avenue outside the entrance of the Stonehenge earthwork in Wiltshire, England. In section it is sub-rectangular, with a minimum thickness of 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in), rising to a tapered top about 4.7 metres (15 ft) high. Excavation has shown that a further 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) is buried in the ground. It is 77.4 metres (254 ft) from the centre of Stonehenge circle. It leans towards the southwest nearly 27 degrees from the vertical. The stone has an overall girth of 7.6 metres (25 ft) and weighs about 35 tons. It is surrounded by the Heelstone Ditch.
What does the Heel Stone do?
The Stones of Stonehenge: The Heel Stone (Stone 96)
Traditionally, the HeelStone marks the place on the horizon where the summer solstice sunrise appears when viewed from the centre of the stone circle. Every year thousands of people gather to watch this event. 4,500 years ago the sunrise would have appeared about 1° to the left of that shown in the picture below.
Stargazing at the stonehenge
Stargazing at Stonehenge is a truly magical experience, deeply tied to the monument’s original purpose. Stonehenge is more than a ring of stones—it was built as a cosmic calendar aligned with the movements of the sun and moon. On the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the sun rises directly over the Heel Stone and shines into the center of the monument, while on the winter solstice the sun sets in perfect alignment with the stone circle’s axis. These precise alignments suggest that Stonehenge was used as a prehistoric observatory, allowing its builders to track the seasons, farming cycles, and spiritual rituals. Thousands of years ago, the night skies above Stonehenge would have been breathtakingly clear, with the Milky Way stretching overhead and the moon’s phases carefully observed.
Evidence also shows that the stones align with rare lunar events, such as the 18.6-year lunar standstill cycle, meaning Stonehenge may have been as much a moon temple as a sun temple. Today, stargazing at the site is restricted, but during the summer and winter solstices, thousands still gather to watch the sunrise or sunset in the same way ancient communities once did. Standing there, it becomes clear that Stonehenge is not only a masterpiece of engineering but also one of the world’s earliest astronomical observatories, where the heavens and human life were woven together in stone.
Alberta is a stargazer’s paradise
One of the very best places on the planet to lose yourself beneath the night sky. Here you’ll find both the world’s largest and second-largest Dark Sky Preserves, vast sanctuaries where the stars shine with unmatched brilliance. As Canada’s sunniest province, Alberta offers more clear nights than anywhere else in the country, giving countless chances to watch the cosmos unfold. The experience is made even more breathtaking in its two legendary national parks, where jagged Rocky Mountain peaks rise like dark silhouettes against the glittering sky. And throughout much of the year, the aurora borealis paints the heavens in ribbons of green and violet, a dazzling reminder of nature’s artistry. In Alberta, the night sky isn’t just something you see — it’s something you feel.
Our observatory is designed for both beginners and experienced stargazers, offering a perfect blend of comfort, technology, and access to the night sky. We provide high-quality telescopes and binoculars for observing planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial wonders, along with automated systems that make focusing and tracking objects effortless. For those interested in astrophotography, we offer guidance and equipment to capture stunning images of the heavens.
Our observatory also features expert-led tours, workshops, and stargazing sessions that explain the science behind the stars and constellations. With minimal light pollution and optimal viewing conditions, visitors can enjoy clear, breathtaking views of the night sky, including seasonal phenomena like meteor showers and the Northern Lights. Whether you’re here to explore, photograph, or simply marvel at the cosmos, our observatory makes the universe accessible to everyone.
STARGAZING
wHAT'S Amateur Astronomy?
Amateur astronomy is the study and enjoyment of the night sky by people who pursue it as a hobby rather than a profession. Unlike professional astronomers who work in research institutions or observatories, amateur astronomers explore the cosmos for curiosity, wonder, and personal discovery.
Many enjoy simply stargazing with the naked eye, identifying constellations, planets, and meteor showers, while others use telescopes or binoculars to observe galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters in greater detail. Thanks to modern technology, some amateurs also capture stunning astrophotography or even contribute valuable data to scientific projects, such as tracking asteroids, monitoring variable stars, or discovering supernovae. At its heart, amateur astronomy is about connecting with the universe — finding joy in looking up, exploring the mysteries of the sky, and sharing that sense of wonder with others.
Amateur astronomers explore a wide range of celestial objects and events, from the Sun, Moon, and planets to stars, comets, meteor showers, and distant deep-sky wonders like star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. Many enthusiasts focus on specific objects or types of events that capture their interest, making their stargazing experience personal and rewarding. One popular branch, amateur astrophotography, lets hobbyists capture stunning images of the night sky. This has become increasingly accessible thanks to digital cameras, DSLRs, and advanced purpose-built CCD and CMOS cameras.
While most amateurs observe the universe in visible light, a smaller group ventures into other wavelengths, like radio or infrared. An early pioneer in this field was Grote Reber, an amateur who built the first purpose-built radio telescope in the 1930s to follow up on Karl Jansky’s discovery of radio waves from space. Today, some amateur astronomers build their own radio telescopes, while others gain access to larger research telescopes, such as the One-Mile Telescope, to explore the universe in ways beyond what the human eye can see.
Maryhill Stonehenge, Washington
This replica is located three miles east of the Maryhill Museum of Art.
It was built by museum founder Sam Hill and is made of reinforced concrete with wrinkled metal forms to mimic the look of stone.
The replica was dedicated as a World War One memorial.
It's situated on a dramatic hillside overlooking the Columbia River.
Stonehenge II, Texas
Located in Hunt, Texas, Stonehenge II is a 90% scale replica of the original, according to the Hill Country Arts Foundation.
It was created by Al Shepperd and Doug Hill as an art project.
The replica is 60% of the width of the original Stonehenge.
It took nine months to construct.
Esperance Stonehenge, Australia:
This replica is a full-sized copy of the intact Stonehenge as it was around 2000 BC.
It's built from 137 locally quarried stones.
The stones are aligned to the summer and winter solstices.
The project was initiated by the Rotary Club of Esperance, but ultimately built on a private property with the owners' own funds.
These replicas, while not exact copies, offer visitors the opportunity to experience a scaled version of the ancient monument and its unique setting
Create Lasting Change in Your Life
We are honored to host transformative meditation retreats that bring together a community of like-minded individuals seeking lasting change in their lives. In collaboration with Dr. Joe Dispenza, we are grateful to provide a sacred space in Canada for his powerful week-long retreats and events. Imagine the profound impact of doing this deep inner work surrounded by iconic prehistoric landscapes and the calming presence of nature—a setting that allows you to reconnect with source, open your heart, and bring your highest reality to life. Here, meditation becomes more than a practice—it becomes an awakening.
Join us in person on an inward journey of healing and transformation. At each retreat, Dr Joe guides you, step by step, through a proven process for creating lasting change in your life. Together, we step into the unknown – where infinite possibilities emerge.
Millions come to the stonehenge!
Stonehenge attracts over a million visitors each year. This iconic prehistoric monument in southern England draws crowds from all over the world.
