Geniet: Moon/sun setting and rising at different latitudes

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Latitudes with no set or rise of moon/sun

Using an 0° apparent altitude (quiet dependent on this), a date of around 3000 BCE, upper rim of sun/moon and latitudes rounded to nearest degree, we get the following latitudes (using these calculations) where sun/moon is always just above (summer time) or below (winter time) the horizon:

61° northern/southern major azimuth standstill limit moon
66° summer solstice sun
67° winter solstice sun
72° northern/southern minor azimuth standstill limit moon

Latitudes with 90° difference in moon/sun azimuth

Using the same apparent altitude at both altitudes, a date of around 3000 BCE, upper rim of sun/moon and latitudes rounded to nearest degree, we get the following latitudes (using these calculations) where there is a difference of 90°:

46° northern major azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise - southern major azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise
50° summer solstice sun set/rise - southern major azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise
50° summer solstice sun rise/set - northern major azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise
51° winter solstice sun set/rise - northern major azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise
51° winter solstice sun rise/set - southern major azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise
54° summer solstice sun rise - summer solstice sun set
55° summer solstice sun set/rise - winter solstice sun set/rise
56° winter solstice sun rise - winter solstice sun set
58° summer solstice sun set/rise - southern minor azimuth standstill moon set/rise
58° summer solstice sun rise/set - northern minor azimuth standstill moon set/rise
59° winter solstice sun rise/set - southern minor azimuth standstill moon set/rise
59° winter solstice sun set/rise - northern minor azimuth standstill moon set/rise
63° northern minor azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise - southern minor azimuth standstill limit moon set/rise

Conclusion

Green: no set or rise around 3000 BCE
Purple: 90° difference in azimuth around 3000 BCE
Blue: Regions with megalithic monuments (Ginkel [1988])

What you can deduct from the above tables, is that around 3000 BCE between 50° and 63° almost every 2° something like a 90° azimuth difference and/or no set or rise event happens. Most no set or rise events happen outside regions with megalithic monuments, except for the Shetlands (althought altitude can change this per site!).
Assuming that megalithic people did perhaps not bother about accuracy's better than 1°, I think it will be very difficult (using only the above information) to proof that buildings have been specially build at these specific latitudes.

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Last major content related changes: May 12, 2001