Real-World Use Cases

Photographers plan moonrise and moonset shoots the same way they plan golden hour. A full moon rising over a city skyline at twilight creates dramatic shots, but the window is narrow. On July 18, 2026 in New York, the waxing crescent moon rises at 09:22 and sets at 22:48, meaning it is above the horizon during most of the daytime and early evening. Knowing the exact rise and set times lets you position yourself before the moment arrives.

Night fishermen and hunters track moonrise and moonset because fish and game activity often peaks during these transition periods. The "major feeding times" in solunar tables correspond to when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot, which falls between moonrise and moonset. A fisherman in Sydney planning a trip on July 25, 2026 can check that moonrise is at 14:12 and plan to be on the water an hour before.

Astronomy enthusiasts use moonrise and moonset to plan observation sessions. If the moon sets at 22:48 in New York on July 18, 2026, deep-sky observation can begin in earnest after that time because the sky will be free of moonlight. For the next few days the moon sets progressively later, reducing the dark-sky window until new moon on July 20, 2026.

Outdoor event planners check moonrise times for evening events. A beach bonfire in Cape Town on August 8, 2026 benefits from knowing the moon rises at 18:35, just after sunset at 18:12, providing natural moonlight for the gathering without waiting for full darkness.

Muslims use moonrise times to sight the new crescent moon (hilal) that marks the beginning of each Islamic month. Knowing when the moon rises and its altitude above the horizon helps observers position themselves with a clear western horizon view.

How It Works

The calculator uses the suncalc JavaScript library, which computes the moon's position relative to the local horizon using lunar position algorithms based on Jean Meeus's Astronomical Algorithms. For any given date, latitude, and longitude, the tool finds the moments when the moon's altitude crosses the horizon (moonrise) and drops below it (moonset).

Unlike the sun, the moon rises and sets at significantly different times each day. Because the moon orbits Earth eastward, it moves about 13 degrees per day relative to the stars. Earth must rotate an extra 13 degrees to bring the moon back to the same position, which takes about 50 minutes. So moonrise advances by roughly 50 minutes per day on average.

The moon's altitude and azimuth are calculated for the selected date and time. Altitude is the angle above the horizon (0 degrees at horizon, 90 degrees at zenith). Azimuth is the compass direction (0 degrees is north, 90 is east, 180 is south, 270 is west). These values tell you exactly where to look for the moon in the sky.

Some days the moon does not rise or does not set. This happens when the moon's declination and the observer's latitude create a situation where the moon stays above or below the horizon for the entire 24-hour period. This is more common at high latitudes, similar to the midnight sun and polar night phenomena for the sun.

Step-by-Step Usage Guide

1. Select a city from the preset list or click the geolocation button to use your current location.
2. Pick a date to see moonrise and moonset times for that specific day.
3. Review the main result card showing moonrise time, moonset time, and moon visibility duration.
4. Check the moon position card for current altitude and azimuth, which tells you where to look in the sky.
5. Review the 7-day forecast table to see how moonrise and moonset times shift over the coming week.
6. Use the direction indicator to find which compass direction the moon rises and sets from your location.

Examples

Common Mistakes and Edge Cases

Things to understand about moonrise and moonset

• Moonrise shifts 50 minutes daily: Unlike sunrise, which changes by a few minutes per day, moonrise jumps by about 50 minutes each day. This is because the moon moves eastward in its orbit, so Earth needs to rotate a bit more to bring it back to the horizon.
• Moonset can occur on a different calendar day: If the moon rises at 22:00, it may set at 09:00 the next morning. The calculator shows the set time with a "next day" indicator when this happens.
• Some days have no moonrise or no moonset: At higher latitudes, the moon can stay above or below the horizon for an entire 24-hour period. This is analogous to polar day and night for the sun but happens more frequently because the moon's declination ranges from about -28 to +28 degrees.
• Atmospheric refraction changes apparent rise time: The moon appears above the horizon slightly before it geometrically crosses it, because Earth's atmosphere bends light upward by about 34 arcminutes. The calculator accounts for standard refraction, but unusual atmospheric conditions can shift the observed time by a minute or two.
• Horizon obstruction matters: If you are in a valley or surrounded by buildings or mountains, the moon will appear later than the calculated rise time and disappear earlier than the calculated set time. The calculator assumes a flat horizon at sea level.
• Full moon rises near sunset: A full moon rises approximately when the sun sets because they are on opposite sides of Earth. Similarly, a new moon rises near sunrise. First quarter rises around noon, and last quarter rises around midnight.
• Direction varies with latitude and season: The moon does not always rise due east. Its rising azimuth shifts between northeast and southeast depending on the moon's declination, which changes throughout the month and year. At high latitudes the variation is more extreme.

FAQ

Related Tools

Data Sources and Accuracy