Moon Rising Sun Calculator

Knowing the exact times of the sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset can be incredibly helpful—whether you’re planning a photography shoot, organizing a camping trip, managing agricultural activities, or just curious about celestial movements. That’s exactly what our Moon & Sun Times Calculator is designed for.

This intuitive online tool helps you estimate solar and lunar rise and set times based on the date and your geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude). It’s simple to use and provides results in seconds.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use the calculator effectively, explore real-life examples, and gain extra insights into moon and sun tracking.

🌞 What Does the Moon & Sun Times Calculator Do?

The Moon & Sun Times Calculator provides:

  • Sunrise Time
  • Sunset Time
  • Moonrise Time
  • Moonset Time

All you need to do is enter a specific date and your location’s latitude and longitude. The calculator then estimates the celestial times for that date and location.

Note: The moonrise and moonset times are based on a simplified approximation and are not suitable for navigational or astrological precision but serve general information and planning purposes very well.

🧭 How to Use the Moon & Sun Times Calculator (Step-by-Step)

Using the calculator is incredibly straightforward:

  1. Enter the Date
    Use the calendar field to select any date for which you want to calculate the rise/set times.
  2. Input Latitude
    Enter your geographic latitude (between -90 and 90). Positive values indicate the Northern Hemisphere, and negative for the Southern Hemisphere.
  3. Input Longitude
    Enter your longitude (between -180 and 180). Positive for the Eastern Hemisphere, negative for the Western.
  4. Click “Calculate”
    Press the Calculate button to generate the sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset times.
  5. Review the Results
    The results will appear below the form, showing each of the four events in HH:MM format.
  6. Use the “Reset” Button
    Want to try again for a different date or location? Click the “Reset” button to clear the form and results.

📅 Real-Life Example: Planning a Photography Session

Let’s say you’re a landscape photographer planning a sunrise shoot on July 10 in Sedona, Arizona.

  • Date: 2025-07-10
  • Latitude: 34.8697
  • Longitude: -111.7609

Enter these values into the calculator and hit “Calculate.” You’ll instantly receive sunrise and moonrise times to plan your early-morning shoot perfectly—making sure you get the golden hour just right.

🔭 Why This Tool Matters: Practical Use Cases

  1. Photography & Videography
    Golden hour and moonlit night shots depend on accurate timing.
  2. Camping & Hiking
    Know when daylight ends and prepare for the night.
  3. Religious Practices
    Some rituals are tied to sunrise, sunset, or moon phases.
  4. Gardening & Agriculture
    Traditional practices may follow lunar or solar cycles.
  5. Fishing & Hunting
    Many species are more active during certain moon phases.
  6. Event Planning
    Planning outdoor gatherings with natural lighting in mind.

🌕 Additional Insights: Understanding Moon & Sun Movements

  • Sunrise/Sunset times shift due to Earth’s axial tilt and orbit.
  • Moonrise/Moonset are less predictable—changing about 50 minutes daily.
  • Latitude and Longitude are crucial. Even a small shift in location can slightly alter times.
  • Elevation is not factored into this tool; actual results may vary in mountainous regions.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How accurate is the Moon & Sun Times Calculator?
The calculator gives an approximate time, suitable for planning but not for navigation or astronomical calculations.

2. Why do moonrise and moonset times change daily?
The moon orbits Earth every ~29.5 days, causing a ~50-minute daily shift in rise/set times.

3. Can I use this tool for any location in the world?
Yes, as long as you provide valid latitude and longitude coordinates.

4. What format should I use for latitude and longitude?
Decimal format (e.g., 37.7749 for latitude, -122.4194 for longitude).

5. What does “N/A” mean in the results?
It means the sun or moon does not rise/set on that particular date at the given location (e.g., near polar regions).

6. Is this tool useful for stargazing?
Absolutely. Knowing moonset time helps plan observations for dark skies.

7. Why do I need to provide the date?
The sun and moon positions change daily, so the date is essential for accuracy.

8. Is elevation taken into account?
No, this is a surface-level approximation. Elevation can slightly affect real-life timings.

9. Can I use this tool on my smartphone?
Yes, it’s fully mobile-friendly.

10. What if I don’t know my latitude/longitude?
Use a GPS app or look up your location online to find coordinates.

11. Why are the moonrise and moonset estimates simpler?
Moon motion is complex. This tool uses an approximation for quick reference.

12. Are daylight saving changes accounted for?
No, all times are in UTC-based estimates; convert manually if needed.

13. Can I use this tool offline?
You need an internet connection to use the online tool.

14. Do moonrise and sunset ever happen at the same time?
It’s rare, but close timings can occur during certain lunar phases.

15. How do I convert UTC time to my local time?
Subtract or add your timezone offset from UTC to convert (e.g., UTC−5 for EST).

16. Does this tool show moon phases?
Not directly, but you can estimate them based on moonrise/set timings and date.

17. What’s the best time to photograph a full moon?
Just after moonrise on the night of the full moon, when it’s low on the horizon.

18. Can I predict solar or lunar eclipses with this?
No, this tool doesn’t calculate eclipses.

19. What if my location is near the equator or poles?
The tool still works but expect very fast or very slow changes in daylight.

20. Why is moonset sometimes after sunrise?
Because the moon can be up during daylight depending on its phase.

🚀 Try the Moon & Sun Times Calculator Now

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, traveler, photographer, or just a sky watcher, our Moon & Sun Times Calculator helps you stay in sync with nature’s clock.

Give it a try today and make your daily plans more celestial-friendly!