Moon And Sun Rising Calculator
Understanding sunrise, sunset, and moon phases can be essential for photographers, travelers, astronomers, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Our Moon and Sun Rising Calculator is a powerful and easy-to-use online tool that helps you instantly determine:
- 🌅 Sunrise time
- 🌇 Sunset time
- ☀️ Total daylight duration
- 🌙 Moonrise time
- 🌌 Moonset time
- 🌔 Current moon phase
All you need is a date, latitude, and longitude — and you’ll receive accurate celestial timing for your specific location.
Why Sunrise and Moonrise Times Matter
The movement of the Sun and Moon influences many aspects of life on Earth. From agriculture and religious observances to photography and astronomy, knowing exact rise and set times can make planning much easier.
For example:
- Photographers rely on golden hour near sunrise and sunset.
- Stargazers track moon phases for darker skies.
- Travelers plan hikes based on daylight duration.
- Fishermen use moonrise and moonset to predict activity.
This calculator simplifies complex astronomical calculations into instant, readable results.
How the Sun and Moon Movement Works
The Sun 🌞
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The Sun appears to rise and set because of Earth’s rotation. However, sunrise and sunset times change daily depending on:
- Your latitude
- Your longitude
- The date
- Earth’s tilt (23.5° axial tilt)
Locations closer to the equator experience fairly consistent daylight year-round, while places near the poles can experience extreme variations.
The Moon 🌙
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The Moon orbits Earth approximately every 29.5 days. This creates the lunar cycle:
- New Moon
- Waxing Crescent
- First Quarter
- Waxing Gibbous
- Full Moon
- Waning Gibbous
- Last Quarter
- Waning Crescent
Moonrise and moonset times shift daily because the Moon moves about 13° eastward each day.
How to Use the Moon and Sun Rising Calculator
Using this tool is simple and takes less than a minute:
Step 1: Select the Date
Choose the specific day you want to calculate sunrise, sunset, and moon details for.
Step 2: Enter Latitude
Input your location’s latitude (between -90 and 90).
Examples:
- New York: 40.7128
- London: 51.5074
- Sydney: -33.8688
Step 3: Enter Longitude
Input your longitude (between -180 and 180).
Examples:
- New York: -74.0060
- London: -0.1278
- Sydney: 151.2093
Step 4: Click “Calculate”
The calculator will instantly display:
- Sunrise time
- Sunset time
- Daylight duration
- Moonrise time
- Moonset time
- Moon phase
If you want to try another date or location, simply click “Reset.”
Example Calculation
Let’s say you want to check celestial times for:
- Date: July 1
- Latitude: 34.0522
- Longitude: -118.2437
You’ll receive:
- Sunrise: Around early morning
- Sunset: Late evening
- Daylight Duration: Over 14 hours (summer season)
- Moonrise & Moonset: Specific to that day
- Moon Phase: Depends on lunar cycle
By adjusting the date to December, you’ll notice shorter daylight hours due to seasonal changes.
Who Should Use This Calculator?
This tool is perfect for:
🌄 Photographers
Plan golden hour and blue hour shoots with accurate sunrise and sunset times.
🌌 Stargazers & Astronomers
Avoid bright moonlight when observing deep-sky objects.
🧭 Travelers & Hikers
Plan outdoor activities based on daylight availability.
🌾 Farmers & Gardeners
Track lunar cycles for planting and harvesting traditions.
🕌 Religious Observers
Many traditions rely on sunrise and moon sightings for observances.
Understanding Daylight Duration
Daylight duration is calculated as the time between sunrise and sunset. It varies depending on:
- Season
- Hemisphere
- Distance from the equator
For example:
- Near the Arctic Circle, summer days can last almost 24 hours.
- Near the equator, daylight stays close to 12 hours year-round.
This calculator automatically computes daylight duration for your selected date and location.
Why Location Accuracy Matters
Latitude and longitude directly impact celestial timing. Even small changes in coordinates can slightly adjust rise and set times.
To find your coordinates:
- Use your smartphone’s map app.
- Search your city’s geographic coordinates online.
- Use GPS tools.
Entering precise coordinates ensures the most accurate results.
Key Features of This Calculator
- ✅ Instant results
- ✅ Sunrise and sunset calculation
- ✅ Moonrise and moonset estimation
- ✅ Moon phase detection
- ✅ Daylight duration display
- ✅ Works worldwide
- ✅ 100% free
This tool uses astronomical formulas based on Julian date calculations and orbital mechanics to estimate solar and lunar positions.
Benefits of Using an Online Moon and Sun Calculator
- Saves time compared to manual calculations
- No need for astronomy knowledge
- Helps with event planning
- Improves outdoor safety
- Enhances photography planning
- Useful for educational purposes
Whether you're planning a sunrise hike or checking for a full moon night, this tool provides quick clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Moon and Sun Rising Calculator free?
Yes, it is completely free to use.
2. Do I need to create an account?
No registration is required.
3. How accurate are the sunrise and sunset times?
The calculator provides close astronomical estimates based on your coordinates.
4. Why do moonrise times change daily?
Because the Moon orbits Earth and shifts position each day.
5. What is latitude?
Latitude measures how far north or south you are from the equator.
6. What is longitude?
Longitude measures how far east or west you are from the Prime Meridian.
7. Can I use this calculator worldwide?
Yes, it works for any global location.
8. What happens near the poles?
Some dates may have very long daylight or darkness due to polar seasons.
9. Does this show time zone adjustments?
Times are calculated based on your device’s local time settings.
10. Can I check past or future dates?
Yes, you can select any valid date.
11. What is daylight duration?
It is the total time between sunrise and sunset.
12. How often does the Moon complete a cycle?
Approximately every 29.5 days.
13. Why is my moonrise later each day?
The Moon rises about 50 minutes later daily on average.
14. Can photographers rely on this tool?
Yes, it’s very helpful for planning natural light shoots.
15. Does this replace professional astronomical software?
No, but it’s highly accurate for general use and planning.
Final Thoughts
The Moon and Sun Rising Calculator makes it simple to explore celestial timing for any date and location. Instead of searching multiple sources for sunrise, sunset, or moon phase data, you can get everything instantly in one place.
Whether you’re planning photography, stargazing, travel, or simply curious about the night sky, this tool provides accurate and fast results.