Moon Phases Visible from Lisbon

From Lisbon at latitude 38.7°, the moon's appearance follows the same 29.53-day synodic cycle visible worldwide — all 8 phases from New Moon through Full Moon and back. However, Lisbon's mid-latitude latitude affects the moon's maximum altitude in the sky. The moon can reach up to 79.9° altitude when crossing the meridian near summer solstice, and only 22.7° near winter solstice. This seasonal variation determines how high the moon appears above Lisbon's horizon and affects lunar photography planning.

Lisbon lies near the southern edge of the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse path — while the city center will see a deep partial eclipse (~95%), totality can be reached within a 30-minute drive north to towns like Caldas da Rainha and Rio Maior. The city's seven hills, immortalized in its iconic tram routes, will see the crescent Sun cast distorted shadows across the Tagus River estuary.

Moonrise & Moonset Times at Lisbon

The moon rises approximately 50 minutes later each day as seen from Lisbon. This daily delay occurs because the moon orbits Earth eastward at about 1 km/s, moving roughly 13° per day against the background stars. At Lisbon's latitude (38.7°), the moon's rise and set positions along the horizon shift seasonally — rising further north in summer and further south in winter. MoonSync calculates exact moonrise and moonset times for Lisbon using real-time ephemeris data.

At 38.7°N on Europe's westernmost continental edge, Lisbon enjoys over 2,800 hours of sunshine annually — among the highest in Europe. The city's west-facing Atlantic coastline means sunsets over the ocean are a daily ritual, with Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of mainland Europe) just 40 km away offering unobstructed solar horizon views.

Moon Illumination & Lisbon's Dark-Sky Planning

For stargazing and astrophotography in Lisbon, moon illumination percentage is the critical number. A Full Moon (100% illuminated) washes out all but the brightest stars and makes deep-sky observation nearly impossible. The 7 days around New Moon (0-15% illumination) provide the best dark-sky window. At 38.7° latitude, combine moon phase with the Twilight Calculator to find nights when both astronomical darkness and minimal moonlight coincide — these 'astrophotographer's golden hours' occur roughly once per month at Lisbon.

Lunar Data Accuracy for Lisbon

MoonSync computes moon phase, illumination, moonrise/moonset times, and lunar age for Lisbon using real-time ephemeris data. Phase illumination is accurate to ±1%. Moonrise and moonset times are calculated from Lisbon's precise coordinates (38.7°, -9.1°) and corrected for atmospheric refraction. The Keplerian orbital model used achieves timing accuracy of approximately ±30 minutes over a synodic month. For sub-minute lunar event timing, consult the USNO Phases of the Moon data service.