Moon Phases Visible from Seoul

From Seoul at latitude 37.6°, 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, Seoul's mid-latitude latitude affects the moon's maximum altitude in the sky. The moon can reach up to 81.0° altitude when crossing the meridian near summer solstice, and only 23.8° near winter solstice. This seasonal variation determines how high the moon appears above Seoul's horizon and affects lunar photography planning.

Seoul's Gwacheon National Science Museum operates the largest public astronomical observatory in South Korea, featuring a 1-meter reflecting telescope and a dedicated solar observation deck. The Korean Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) in nearby Daejeon has been a key contributor to the GMT (Giant Magellan Telescope) project, and Seoul's amateur astronomy clubs number over 50 — one of the highest densities in Asia.

Moonrise & Moonset Times at Seoul

The moon rises approximately 50 minutes later each day as seen from Seoul. 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 Seoul's latitude (37.6°), 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 Seoul using real-time ephemeris data.

At 37.6°N, Seoul's midsummer daylight stretches to 14 hours and 45 minutes under a humid continental climate. The city's dramatic seasonal swing — from −5°C January nights to 30°C July days — mirrors the striking contrast between Seoul's ultra-modern skyline and its mountain-ringed natural basin, where the sun path traces a precise arc from Bukhansan in the east to Gwanaksan in the west.

Moon Illumination & Seoul's Dark-Sky Planning

For stargazing and astrophotography in Seoul, 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 37.6° 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 Seoul.

Lunar Data Accuracy for Seoul

MoonSync computes moon phase, illumination, moonrise/moonset times, and lunar age for Seoul using real-time ephemeris data. Phase illumination is accurate to ±1%. Moonrise and moonset times are calculated from Seoul's precise coordinates (37.6°, 127.0°) 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.