Moon Phases Visible from Madrid

From Madrid at latitude 40.4°, 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, Madrid's mid-latitude latitude affects the moon's maximum altitude in the sky. The moon can reach up to 78.2° altitude when crossing the meridian near summer solstice, and only 21.0° near winter solstice. This seasonal variation determines how high the moon appears above Madrid's horizon and affects lunar photography planning.

Perched at 667 meters above sea level on Europe's highest capital plateau, Madrid's altitude gives its amateur astronomers a distinct advantage: thinner air means less atmospheric turbulence and sharper planetary views through modest telescopes. Madrid's status as a UNWTO hub has also made it a gathering point for international astrotourism conferences.

Moonrise & Moonset Times at Madrid

The moon rises approximately 50 minutes later each day as seen from Madrid. 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 Madrid's latitude (40.4°), 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 Madrid using real-time ephemeris data.

Just a 2-hour drive from Madrid, the Calar Alto Observatory in Almería hosts the largest optical telescope in continental Europe — a 3.5-meter reflector operated jointly by Spain and Germany. At 2,168 meters elevation above the Mediterranean, its exceptionally dry, stable atmosphere makes it one of the world's premier sites for exoplanet detection and galaxy formation studies.

Moon Illumination & Madrid's Dark-Sky Planning

For stargazing and astrophotography in Madrid, 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 40.4° 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 Madrid.

Lunar Data Accuracy for Madrid

MoonSync computes moon phase, illumination, moonrise/moonset times, and lunar age for Madrid using real-time ephemeris data. Phase illumination is accurate to ±1%. Moonrise and moonset times are calculated from Madrid's precise coordinates (40.4°, -3.7°) 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.