315° |- | Major standstill || 148° || 212° || 32° || 328° |} {| class="wikitable" |+ Azimuth of full Moon on horizon(as viewed from 55° south) |- ! ! colspan=2 | Widest arc ! colspan=2 | Narrowest arc |- ! Epoch || Moonrise || Moonset || Moonrise || Moonset |- | Minor standstill || 124° || 236° || 56° || 304° |- | Midway || 135° || 225° || 45° || 315° |- | Major standstill || 148° || 212° || 32° || 328° |} For observers at the middle latitudes (not too near the Equator or either pole), the Moon is highest in the sky in each period of 24 hours when it reaches the observer's meridian. During the month, these culmination altitudes vary so as to produce a greatest value and a least value. The following table shows these altitudes at different times in the lunar nodal period for an observer at 55° north or 55° south. The greatest and least culminations occur about two weeks apart. {| class="wikitable" |+ Altitude at culmination(as viewed from 55° north or south) |- ! Epoch ! Greatest ! Least |- | Minor standstill || 53.5° || 16.5° |- | Midway || 58.5° || 11.5° |- | Major standstill || 63.5° || 6.5° |} The following table shows some occasions of a lunar standstill. The times given are for when the Moon's node passed the equinox—the Moon's greatest declination occurs within a few months of these times, depending on its detailed orbit. However, the Moon is close to standstill for a year or so on either side of these dates. {| class="wikitable" |+ Times of lunar standstill ! Major standstill !! Minor standstill |- | May 1988 || February 1997 |- | June 2006 || October 2015 |- | April 2025 || March 2034 |- | September 2043 || March 2053 |} Effects on Earth During a minor lunar standstill, the tidal forces (gravitational forces) of solar objects are more aligned. This leads to an increased amplitude in tides and tidal flooding at the 18.6 year interval. Detailed explanation A more detailed explanation is best considered in terms of the paths of the Sun and Moon on the celestial sphere, as shown in the first diagram. This shows the abstract sphere surrounding the Earth at the center. The Earth is oriented so that its axis is vertical. The Sun is, by