Moon Phases Visible from Paris

From Paris at latitude 48.9°, 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, Paris's high-latitude latitude affects the moon's maximum altitude in the sky. The moon can reach up to 69.7° altitude when crossing the meridian near summer solstice, and only 12.5° near winter solstice. This seasonal variation determines how high the moon appears above Paris's horizon and affects lunar photography planning.

The Paris Observatory, commissioned by Louis XIV in 1667, is the world's oldest continuously operating astronomical observatory. The Arago Medallions — 135 bronze disks embedded in Paris sidewalks along the original Paris Meridian — still mark the line that rivaled Greenwich as the world's prime meridian until 1884, when the International Meridian Conference voted to standardize on London.

Moonrise & Moonset Times at Paris

The moon rises approximately 50 minutes later each day as seen from Paris. 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 Paris's latitude (48.9°), 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 Paris using real-time ephemeris data.

Paris at 48.9°N experiences summer days stretching to 16 hours and 10 minutes — significantly longer than the 15-hour maxima of New York or Tokyo at lower mid-latitudes. This extended summer daylight, combined with Paris's famously clear August skies, produces some of the longest and most photogenic golden hour windows of any major European capital.

Moon Illumination & Paris's Dark-Sky Planning

For stargazing and astrophotography in Paris, 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 48.9° 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 Paris.

Lunar Data Accuracy for Paris

MoonSync computes moon phase, illumination, moonrise/moonset times, and lunar age for Paris using real-time ephemeris data. Phase illumination is accurate to ±1%. Moonrise and moonset times are calculated from Paris's precise coordinates (48.9°, 2.4°) 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.