Live celestial data
Moon Position.
The moon's position right now — phase, illumination, direction, altitude, moonrise, moonset, and next lunar events.
Share your location for accurate readings
Direction
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— azimuth
Altitude
—
above horizon
Moonrise
—
your local time
Moonset
—
your local time
Moon Age
—
of 29.5-day cycle
Distance
—
km from Earth
Next Full Moon
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Next New Moon
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Understanding moon phases.
How does the moon phase work?
The moon orbits Earth in about 29.5 days (a synodic month). As it does, sunlight hits it from different angles, creating the phases we see. New moon (dark), waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent — then new moon again. The phase you see depends entirely on the geometry between the Sun, Earth, and Moon at that moment.
What does illumination percentage mean?
Illumination percentage is the fraction of the moon's visible face that is currently lit by the sun, as seen from Earth. 0% is new moon (fully dark side facing us), 50% is a quarter phase (half lit), and 100% is full moon (entire visible face illuminated). The percentage increases during the waxing phase (new moon to full moon) and decreases during the waning phase (full moon back to new moon).
Why does the moon look different each night?
Because the moon's orbital position relative to Earth and the Sun changes by about 12° per day, the angle at which sunlight strikes the visible face changes daily. This shifts the lit-to-dark boundary (called the terminator) by a small amount each night, gradually changing the phase from a thin crescent to a full disc and back again over the 29.5-day cycle.
Can I see the moon during the day?
Yes — the moon is above the horizon roughly half the time, which means there is frequent daytime overlap. The waxing crescent and first quarter moon are visible in the afternoon sky. The waning gibbous and last quarter moon are visible in the morning sky. Near full moon, it rises around sunset and sets around sunrise. The moon is harder to spot in daylight because the blue sky reduces contrast, but it is definitely there.
How accurate are these calculations?
We use Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms computed entirely in your browser. Moon position accuracy is within about 1° for azimuth and altitude, and phase timing is accurate to within a few minutes. The distance from Earth is calculated from the same orbital elements and is typically accurate to within a few hundred kilometres — well under 0.1% of the actual distance.
Is my location stored?
No. Your GPS coordinates are computed locally in your browser and used only to calculate the moon's position from your viewpoint. Nothing is sent to a server, and no data is stored anywhere outside your device.
Practical Uses for Moon Position Data
Tracking the moon's exact position — its direction, altitude, rise and set times, and phase — has practical value for a wide range of outdoor activities and interests. From night photography to fishing, gardening, and wildlife observation, knowing where the moon is and how bright it will be can meaningfully improve your planning.
Night photography and astrophotography
For astrophotographers, the moon is the single biggest variable in planning a shoot. A bright gibbous or full moon near its peak altitude can raise the sky background brightness by several magnitudes, washing out the Milky Way and making faint nebulae impossible to capture. Knowing the moon's altitude at any hour of the night lets you plan around it — either timing your shoot before moonrise, after moonset, or during the dark days around new moon. The moon's azimuth also matters: composing a landscape with the moon rising over a landmark or setting behind a mountain requires knowing exactly where and when it appears.
Fishing and hunting
Many anglers and hunters swear by lunar tables. The theory — supported by some field research — is that fish and game are most active around the times when the moon is directly overhead (lunar transit) or directly underfoot (anti-transit), because these positions coincide with subtle gravitational tidal effects. The period around full and new moon, when tidal forces are strongest, is considered the most productive time by many experienced fishermen. Moonrise and moonset are also considered peak activity windows. Knowing the moon's exact azimuth and altitude at any time of night helps identify these windows for your specific location.
Navigation and outdoor safety
A bright, high moon provides enough natural light to navigate safely on open terrain without a torch — which is useful for conserving battery power on long overnight hikes or during power outages. Knowing moonrise time in advance means you can plan the dark portion of a night hike accurately. Conversely, search and rescue teams and military planners consider lunar illumination carefully: a new moon night is far darker and more hazardous than a full moon night, and operations are planned accordingly.
The moon's distance from Earth
The moon's orbit is elliptical, meaning its distance from Earth varies between approximately 356,500 km at perigee (closest point) and 406,700 km at apogee (farthest point) — a difference of about 14%. When a full moon occurs near perigee it is called a supermoon and appears visibly larger and brighter. This tool shows the current Earth-Moon distance, so you can see exactly where in its orbital cycle the moon is right now. Pair this with the Moon Phase Tracker for a full monthly calendar of phases.