Moon Rising Sun Calculator

Whether you’re a photographer planning the perfect golden hour shot, an astronomer tracking lunar events, or simply a nature lover wanting to catch a breathtaking sunrise, knowing the exact times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset can be invaluable. Our Moon & Sun Calculator is designed to give you this information instantly for any location and date — no complicated charts or manual calculations required.

Moon Rising & Sun Calculator

What Is the Moon & Sun Calculator?

The Moon & Sun Calculator is an easy-to-use online tool that displays accurate sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset times for any city or set of coordinates on a specific date. Simply enter a location and date, and the tool instantly calculates the astronomical times relevant to your chosen place and day.

This makes it perfect for:

  • Travelers planning outdoor activities
  • Photographers looking for the best light
  • Gardeners tracking daylight hours
  • Astronomy enthusiasts following moon phases and visibility
  • Fishermen & hunters timing their trips based on moon activity

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

Using the calculator is straightforward and requires just two inputs:

  1. Enter Location
    • Type the name of the city or its geographical coordinates (latitude, longitude) into the Location field.
    • Examples:
      • City name: Paris
      • Coordinates: 48.8566, 2.3522
  2. Select Date
    • Use the date picker to choose the day you want to check.
    • You can select past or future dates.
  3. Click “Calculate”
    • Press the Calculate button, and the tool will display:
      • Sunrise time
      • Sunset time
      • Moonrise time
      • Moonset time
  4. View Results
    • The results appear in an easy-to-read table format.
    • Times are given in local time for the location selected.
  5. Reset if Needed
    • If you want to check another date or location, click Reset to start over.

Practical Example

Example 1: Planning a Golden Hour Photo in Sydney
You’re in Sydney on June 15 and want to capture the sun setting over the Opera House.

  • Location: Sydney, Australia
  • Date: 15 June 2025
  • Result:
    • Sunrise: 07:02 AM
    • Sunset: 05:01 PM
    • Moonrise: 10:14 PM
    • Moonset: 10:05 AM

With this info, you know golden hour will be roughly 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM, so you can arrive early to set up your camera.

Why Knowing Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise, and Moonset Matters

Many activities benefit from precise timing of solar and lunar events:

  • Photography & Videography — Capture stunning natural light during sunrise, sunset, or moonrise.
  • Fishing & Hunting — Moon phases and moonrise/moonset influence animal activity.
  • Gardening — Certain plants respond to daylight hours and moon cycles.
  • Religious Practices — Some prayer times are linked to sunrise and sunset.
  • Hiking & Camping — Plan trips to maximize daylight hours and avoid hiking in the dark.
  • Astronomy — Knowing moonrise and moonset helps in planning telescope observations.

Extra Tips for Using the Moon & Sun Calculator

  • Check Different Time Zones: The calculator adjusts times based on the location you enter, so you get accurate local results.
  • Plan Ahead: You can select future dates to prepare for trips or events.
  • Pair with Weather Forecasts: Clear skies are essential for seeing the moon or sun, so check weather conditions too.
  • Coordinate with Moon Phases: Combine moonrise/moonset data with lunar phase info for a complete astronomy plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Moon & Sun Calculator free to use?
Yes, it’s completely free and accessible online.

2. How accurate is the tool?
When connected to astronomical data APIs, it provides precise times based on your location and date.

3. Can I use it for any location worldwide?
Yes, you can enter any city name or coordinates globally.

4. Does it work for past dates?
Yes, you can check historical sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset times.

5. Can I use coordinates instead of a city name?
Absolutely. Just enter latitude and longitude.

6. Will the times be in local time?
Yes, the results are adjusted to the location’s local time zone.

7. Can it tell me moon phases?
This version focuses on rise/set times, but you can pair it with a moon phase tool.

8. Is the data based on GPS?
No, you manually enter the location or coordinates.

9. Does it work offline?
You need an internet connection to fetch accurate data.

10. Why do moonrise and moonset times vary so much?
The moon’s orbit and position relative to Earth change daily, affecting rise/set times.

11. Can I use it for navigation?
It’s not a navigation tool, but the data can assist in planning journeys.

12. Does daylight saving time affect results?
Yes, the calculator adjusts for daylight saving where applicable.

13. Can I find twilight times too?
Not in this version, but future updates may include civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight.

14. Is it useful for solar energy planning?
Yes, knowing sunlight hours helps in optimizing solar panel placement.

15. Why are sunrise and sunset times different in summer and winter?
Earth’s tilt changes daylight length through the seasons.

16. Can I export the results?
Currently, results are displayed on-screen, but you can manually record them.

17. Can the tool predict eclipses?
No, eclipses require specialized astronomical calculations.

18. Is the tool mobile-friendly?
Yes, it works on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

19. Can I use it for religious observances?
Yes, many people use sunrise and sunset times for prayer schedules.

20. How often is the data updated?
When linked to an API, data is fetched in real-time upon calculation.