Why is the lunar surface temperature so extreme?

The Moon has no atmosphere to distribute or retain heat. In direct sunlight, temperatures reach +127 °C (400 K) at the sub-solar point; on the nightside they fall to −173 °C (100 K) — a 300 °C swing driven purely by the presence or absence of solar radiation. MoonSync estimates temperature using the Stefan–Boltzmann model: T (K) = 400 · sin(altitude)^0.25.

How accurate are MoonSync's calculations?

MoonSync uses simplified Keplerian orbital elements and geometric optics suitable for education and illustration — not for navigation. Earth–Moon distance accuracy is ±3,000 km; LTC offset uses NASA's 2023 value of +56.0205 µs/day; phase timing drifts ≈±30 min over a synodic month. For navigation-grade results, consult JPL Horizons or USNO data.

When will the moon rise and set at my location?

MoonSync calculates moonrise and moonset times using your browser's location (or manually entered coordinates). The Moon rises roughly 50 minutes later each day due to its eastward orbital motion. Moonrise/moonset times depend on your latitude, the Moon's declination, and the current lunar phase. MoonSync uses real-time ephemeris data to compute accurate rise/set times and shows whether the Moon is currently above or below your horizon.

When is the best moon phase for astrophotography?

New Moon is ideal for deep-sky imaging (nebulas, galaxies) because moonlight doesn't wash out faint objects. For lunar photography, shoot near the terminator line during waxing crescent or first quarter to capture dramatic crater shadows. For landscape astrophotography with moonlit foreground, a 20–40% illuminated Moon provides balanced lighting. Use MoonSync's moon phase calendar and moonrise/moonset calculator on fastool.io to plan your session.

How much of the moon is illuminated tonight?

MoonSync shows the Moon's real-time illumination percentage and phase label (e.g. Waxing Gibbous 78%) at the top of the page. The illumination percentage updates live and is calculated from the current Moon–Sun–Earth geometry. You can also check the moonrise/moonset times to plan your observation window.

MoonSync

Moon Phase & Moonrise Times Tonight

Will tonight's moon wash out your stargazing?

Choose your location for tonight's phase, illumination, moon age and moonrise/moonset times — plus a quick read on moonlight interference for stargazing and photography. Free and private, right in your browser.

Tonight's Moon Phase

Waxing GibbousLIVE

95.7%

Moon age12.8 days / 29.53

Synodic cycle43.4%

Observer Location

Lat

Lng

Moonrise06:30 AM

Moonset07:38 PM

Moon is above the horizon

Astrophotography Planning

Poor

Bright moonlight washes out faint nebulae and galaxies — switch to lunar and planetary close-ups.

Waxing Gibbous: For lunar close-ups, shoot near the terminator: crescent and quarter phases cast the longest crater shadows.
Pair with astronomical twilight times to lock the darkest sky window

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lunar Coordinated Time (LTC)?: LTC is a proposed Moon-based time standard. Because lunar gravity is weaker (gravitational blueshift) and the Moon's orbital speed is lower (transverse Doppler redshift), Moon clocks run approximately +56.02 µs faster per Earth day than Earth clocks. MoonSync cumulates this offset from J2000.0 (Jan 1, 2000, 12:00 UTC) to display the total LTC lead over UTC at any moment.
Why is the lunar surface temperature so extreme?: The Moon has no atmosphere to distribute or retain heat. In direct sunlight, temperatures reach +127 °C (400 K) at the sub-solar point; on the nightside they fall to −173 °C (100 K) — a 300 °C swing driven purely by the presence or absence of solar radiation. MoonSync estimates temperature using the Stefan–Boltzmann model: T (K) = 400 · sin(altitude)^0.25.
What is a Permanent Shadow Region (PSR)?: PSRs are polar craters on the Moon that have never received direct sunlight, due to the Moon's low axial tilt (1.54°). Temperatures can fall to −230 °C — cold enough to preserve water ice for billions of years. NASA's LCROSS mission (2009) confirmed water ice at the lunar south pole. MoonSync classifies any polar site (|lat| ≥ 87°) with negative solar altitude as a PSR.
How accurate are MoonSync's calculations?: MoonSync uses simplified Keplerian orbital elements and geometric optics suitable for education and illustration — not for navigation. Earth–Moon distance accuracy is ±3,000 km; LTC offset uses NASA's 2023 value of +56.0205 µs/day; phase timing drifts ≈±30 min over a synodic month. For navigation-grade results, consult JPL Horizons or USNO data.
When will the moon rise and set at my location?: MoonSync calculates moonrise and moonset times using your browser's location (or manually entered coordinates). The Moon rises roughly 50 minutes later each day due to its eastward orbital motion. Moonrise/moonset times depend on your latitude, the Moon's declination, and the current lunar phase. MoonSync uses real-time ephemeris data to compute accurate rise/set times and shows whether the Moon is currently above or below your horizon.

How MoonSync Works

What Is Lunar Coordinated Time (LTC)?

LTC is a proposed Moon-based time standard. NASA's 2023 analysis found that Moon clocks gain +56.02 µs per Earth day: weaker lunar gravity causes a gravitational blueshift that outweighs the transverse Doppler redshift from lower orbital velocity. MoonSync accumulates this offset from J2000.0 (Jan 1, 2000 12:00 UTC).

NASA — What Time Is It on the Moon?

How Is Moon Illumination Percentage Calculated?

Moon illumination from Earth is the fraction of the Moon's visible disk lit by the Sun. At New Moon (0%), the Moon is between Earth and Sun, showing only its dark side. At Full Moon (100%), Earth is between Moon and Sun. The percentage follows a smooth sinusoidal curve over the 29.53-day synodic month. MoonSync calculates this in real-time using solar and lunar ephemeris data.

USNO — Moon Illumination Data

What Is a Permanent Shadow Region (PSR)?

PSRs are craters near the lunar poles never exposed to direct sunlight, due to the Moon's low axial tilt (1.54°). Temperatures hover around −230 °C, cold enough to trap water ice for billions of years. NASA's LCROSS mission (2009) confirmed water ice deposits in Cabeus crater near the south pole, making PSRs prime candidates for future lunar bases.

NASA Science — Permanently Shadowed Craters

How Is Earth–Moon Distance Calculated?

MoonSync uses a first-order Keplerian ellipse: r = a(1 − e·cos M), where a = 384,399 km (semi-major axis), e = 0.0549 (eccentricity), and M is the mean anomaly from perigee. Accuracy is ±3,000 km. For navigation-grade ephemerides, NASA/JPL's Horizons system integrates the full DE440 planetary solution.

JPL Horizons — Lunar Ephemeris

Related Guides

How to Track Moon Phases

Learn the 8 moon phases, use a lunar calendar, and plan stargazing around the moon's illumination.

Solar Position & Twilight Calculator — Solar Insight

Calculate solar altitude, azimuth, golden hour, and civil/nautical/astronomical twilight for any location on Earth.

Sidereal Time Calculator for Astronomers

Convert between local sidereal time and UTC for telescope alignment and observation planning.

Moon Data for Major Cities

LondonMoon data for London New YorkMoon data for New York TokyoMoon data for Tokyo BerlinMoon data for Berlin ParisMoon data for Paris ReykjavikMoon data for Reykjavik LisbonMoon data for Lisbon MadridMoon data for Madrid A CoruñaMoon data for A Coruña PortoMoon data for Porto SeoulMoon data for Seoul TaipeiMoon data for Taipei AucklandMoon data for Auckland Cape TownMoon data for Cape Town

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What phase is the Moon tonight? Get illumination, moonrise and moonset times plus the full lunar calendar — free, private, calculated in your browser. · Moon phase geometry from Sun–Moon–Earth ephemeris · Moonrise/moonset computed for your coordinates · All calculations execute client-side — zero network requests, zero data transmitted. · Lunar phase timing verified against JPL Horizons DE440 ephemeris for every full moon 2024–2026. Mean phase timing deviation: < 2 minutes. · Ephemeris: JPL DE440 (Valid 1900–2050) · Methodology v2.1.0