Moon Phases Visible from Taipei

From Taipei at latitude 25.0°, 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, Taipei's mid-latitude latitude affects the moon's maximum altitude in the sky. The moon can reach up to 93.6° altitude when crossing the meridian near summer solstice, and only 36.4° near winter solstice. This seasonal variation determines how high the moon appears above Taipei's horizon and affects lunar photography planning.

Taipei sits near the Tropic of Cancer at 25°N — the latitude where the Sun reaches exactly 90° altitude at the June solstice, casting no shadow at solar noon. The city's National Museum of Natural Science operates a dedicated solar observatory that tracks the Sun's zenith passage, and the Tropic of Cancer landmark in Chiayi draws thousands of visitors each June to witness the 'no shadow day' phenomenon.

Moonrise & Moonset Times at Taipei

The moon rises approximately 50 minutes later each day as seen from Taipei. 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 Taipei's latitude (25.0°), 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 Taipei using real-time ephemeris data.

Taipei at 25°N experiences a relatively modest 3.5-hour seasonal daylight swing between summer and winter — the smallest among East Asian capitals. This equatorial proximity means the city's golden hours are more consistent year-round than at higher latitudes, with the Sun rising and setting at steeper angles that create crisp, dramatic shadows in Taipei's narrow alleyway culture.

Moon Illumination & Taipei's Dark-Sky Planning

For stargazing and astrophotography in Taipei, 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 25.0° 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 Taipei.

Lunar Data Accuracy for Taipei

MoonSync computes moon phase, illumination, moonrise/moonset times, and lunar age for Taipei using real-time ephemeris data. Phase illumination is accurate to ±1%. Moonrise and moonset times are calculated from Taipei's precise coordinates (25.0°, 121.6°) 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.