Understanding the movement of the Sun and Moon has fascinated humanity for thousands of years. Whether you're planning photography, stargazing, outdoor activities, travel, or religious observances, knowing the exact sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and moon phase can make all the difference.

Our Rising Moon Sun Calculator is a powerful, easy-to-use online tool that calculates:

• Sunrise time
• Solar noon
• Sunset time
• Total daylight duration
• Moonrise time
• Moonset time
• Current moon phase
• Moon illumination percentage

All you need is your latitude, longitude, date, and timezone offset.

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What Is a Rising Moon Sun Calculator?

A Rising Moon Sun Calculator is an astronomical tool that determines the daily position and timing of the Sun and Moon for a specific location on Earth.

Using astronomical formulas based on Julian dates and orbital mechanics, the calculator estimates:

• When the Sun crosses the horizon (sunrise & sunset)
• When the Moon appears and disappears
• The percentage of the Moon illuminated
• The current lunar phase

It works for any location worldwide — from the equator to polar regions.

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Why Sunrise & Moon Times Matter

Sun and Moon timing data is useful for:

• Photographers (golden hour & blue hour planning)
• Astronomers and stargazers
• Outdoor event planners
• Hikers and campers
• Sailors and fishermen
• Religious observances
• Farmers and agricultural planners
• Travelers exploring new cities

For example, if you're in New York City, sunrise time differs significantly compared to Los Angeles due to latitude and timezone differences.

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What This Calculator Computes

🌅 Sun Times

1. Sunrise

The moment the upper edge of the Sun becomes visible above the horizon.

2. Solar Noon

The time when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky.

3. Sunset

The moment the Sun disappears below the horizon.

4. Daylight Duration

Total hours and minutes between sunrise and sunset.

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🌙 Moon Times

1. Moonrise

When the Moon rises above the horizon.

2. Moonset

When the Moon drops below the horizon.

3. Moon Phase

Identifies the current lunar phase, such as:

• New Moon
• First Quarter
• Full Moon
• Last Quarter

4. Moon Illumination

Percentage of the Moon’s surface illuminated by sunlight.

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How to Use the Rising Moon Sun Calculator (Step-by-Step)

Using this tool is simple and takes less than a minute.

Step 1: Enter Latitude

Input your location’s latitude (between -90° and 90°).

Example:

• 40.7128 for New York
• 34.0522 for Los Angeles

Step 2: Enter Longitude

Input longitude (between -180° and 180°).

Example:

• -74.0060 for NYC
• -118.2437 for LA

Step 3: Select Date

Choose the date for which you want astronomical data.

Step 4: Enter Timezone Offset

Input hours from UTC (for example, -5 for Eastern Time during standard time).

The calculator auto-fills today’s date and your timezone offset by default.

Step 5: Click “Calculate”

The results instantly display:

• Sunrise
• Solar Noon
• Sunset
• Daylight Duration
• Moonrise
• Moonset
• Moon Phase
• Moon Illumination

Click Reset to start over.

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Example Calculation

Let’s walk through a sample scenario.

Location:

New York City
Latitude: 40.7128
Longitude: -74.0060
Timezone: -5

Date:

June 21 (Summer Solstice)

On this date, daylight duration is near its maximum for the Northern Hemisphere.

Typical results would show:

• Early sunrise
• Late sunset
• Long daylight duration (over 15 hours)
• Moon phase depending on lunar cycle

In contrast, on December 21 (Winter Solstice), daylight would be much shorter.

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How Moon Phases Work

The Moon orbits Earth approximately every 29.5 days. This cycle is called a synodic month.

The calculator identifies phases such as:

• 🌑 New Moon (0% illumination)
• 🌓 First Quarter (~50%)
• 🌕 Full Moon (~100%)
• 🌗 Last Quarter (~50%)

Moon illumination is calculated using trigonometric functions based on lunar age.

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Special Cases: Polar Regions

In high-latitude areas like Reykjavik, sunrise and sunset may not occur daily during extreme seasons.

The calculator accounts for:

• No sunrise (Polar Night)
• No sunset (Midnight Sun)
• 24-hour daylight
• 0-hour daylight

This makes it globally reliable.

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Benefits of Using This Calculator

✅ Accurate Astronomical Calculations

Based on Julian Date and orbital formulas.

✅ Works Worldwide

Supports any valid latitude and longitude.

✅ Includes Moon Phase & Illumination

Many calculators only show sun times — this includes lunar data.

✅ Auto Timezone Detection

Saves time and reduces errors.

✅ Simple & Fast

Results appear instantly.

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Who Should Use This Tool?

This tool is perfect for:

• Amateur astronomers
• Astrophotographers
• Travelers
• Outdoor enthusiasts
• Event planners
• Educators teaching astronomy
• Religious observers tracking lunar cycles

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Tips for Best Accuracy

• Enter precise latitude and longitude
• Confirm timezone offset (especially during daylight saving time)
• Double-check selected date
• Use decimal degrees format

Small coordinate differences can slightly shift times.

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15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does this calculator measure?

It calculates sun and moon rise/set times and lunar phase.

2. Is this tool free?

Yes, it’s completely free.

3. Can I use it for any country?

Yes, it works globally.

4. What is solar noon?

The time when the Sun is highest in the sky.

5. Why does sunrise time change daily?

Because Earth orbits the Sun and tilts on its axis.

6. What is moon illumination?

The percentage of the Moon lit by the Sun.

7. Can it show full moon dates?

Yes, when illumination approaches 100%.

8. Does it adjust for daylight saving time?

You must manually enter the correct timezone offset.

9. Why does it show “No sunrise”?

This occurs in polar regions during certain seasons.

10. Is this suitable for astrophotography planning?

Yes, especially for moon phase tracking.

11. What format are times shown in?

12-hour format with AM/PM.

12. How accurate is it?

It uses standard astronomical formulas for reliable estimates.

13. Can I calculate past or future dates?

Yes, select any valid date.

14. Does it require internet after loading?

No, calculations run instantly once loaded.

15. What is the lunar cycle length?

Approximately 29.53 days.

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Final Thoughts

Our Rising Moon Sun Calculator is a complete astronomical timing tool that provides sunrise, sunset, solar noon, daylight duration, moonrise, moonset, lunar phase, and illumination — all in one place.

Whether you’re planning a photoshoot, tracking the full moon, organizing an outdoor event, or simply curious about celestial movements, this calculator gives you fast and reliable results anywhere in the world.

Try it today and explore the rhythm of the sky with precision and ease. 🌞🌙