What do you see on the map?
The interactive map above shows the exact moon position above this address. Each line and area has a specific meaning:
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Light purple line — Moonrise
Shows the exact direction from which the moon rises on the selected day.
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Dark purple line — Moonset
Indicates the direction of moonset. The moon shifts about 50 minutes later each day.
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Lavender line — Current position
The bold line points to where the moon currently is (or at the selected time).
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Purple area — Moon arc
The shaded area shows the full path the moon traces today from moonrise to moonset.
Understanding moon phases
The moon completes a full cycle from new moon to full moon and back every 29.5 days. At new moon, the moon is between the Earth and the sun — the illuminated side faces away from us. At full moon, Earth is between the sun and the moon, and we see the fully lit side.
Between these extremes we see waxing (increasing) and waning (decreasing) phases: crescent, first quarter, gibbous, full, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent. The moon phase also determines when the moon is visible: a new moon is in the sky during the day, while a full moon is up at night.
Moon position and tides
The moon’s position directly affects tides. When the moon and sun are aligned (at new and full moon), tidal differences are greatest — these are called spring tides. At first and last quarter, the sun and moon are at right angles, resulting in smaller tidal differences (neap tides). The moon’s distance from Earth (perigee vs. apogee) strengthens or weakens this effect.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the moon rise later each day?
The moon orbits in the same direction as Earth, but more slowly. Each day the Earth must rotate a little extra to see the moon in the same position. This causes moonrise to shift about 50 minutes later each day.
What determines the moon phase?
The moon phase depends on the angle between the sun, moon and Earth. As the moon orbits Earth, this angle changes, altering how much of the sun-lit side we can see. A complete cycle takes an average of 29.53 days — the synodic month.
What is the difference between perigee and apogee?
The moon travels in an elliptical orbit around Earth. The closest point is called perigee (about 356,500 km), the farthest is apogee (about 406,700 km). At perigee the moon appears larger and brighter — a so-called supermoon. At apogee the moon looks smaller in the sky.
Does the moon affect tides?
Yes, the moon is the primary cause of tides. The moon’s gravity pulls on Earth’s water, creating tidal bulges. At full and new moon (spring tides) the tidal differences are greatest. At quarter moons (neap tides) they are smallest.
Can the moon be visible during the day?
Yes, the moon is regularly visible during the day. Around first quarter the moon is in the sky during the afternoon and evening. Around last quarter it’s visible in the morning. Only around full moon is the moon mainly visible at night, and around new moon it’s not visible at all.
How accurate is this moon calculator?
The calculations are based on astronomical formulas and are accurate to within a few minutes for moonrise and moonset. The moon phase and illumination percentage are accurate to within half a percent. The distance is accurate to about 1000 km.
