Moon Visibility

Moon visibility is a simple but critical astronomical condition that determines whether the moon is above or below the horizon at your specific location and time. While moon phase tells you how much of the moon is illuminated, moon visibility tells you whether that moon is actually in the sky, able to illuminate your scene or interfere with astrophotography. Understanding moon visibility is essential for planning both moonlit photography and dark-sky work. The moon follows a predictable rise-and-set pattern, but unlike the sun, the moon's timing shifts dramatically throughout its monthly cycle. A full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, staying visible all night—perfect for all-night moonlit landscape sessions but challenging for astrophotography. A new moon rises and sets with the sun, remaining below the horizon all night and providing ideal conditions for Milky Way photography.

Crescent and quarter moons occupy middle ground: a waxing crescent rises during the day and sets during early evening, while a waning crescent rises during early morning and sets during the day. This means you can have a crescent moon phase (low illumination) but with the moon below the horizon during prime astrophotography hours, giving you the best of both worlds. First quarter moon rises around noon and sets around midnight, providing evening moonlight but dark skies after midnight. Last quarter moon rises around midnight and sets around noon, giving you dark evening skies but moonlit conditions before dawn. These patterns shift by latitude—at higher latitudes, the moon's path across the sky changes angle, affecting how long it stays above the horizon and how high it climbs.

For landscape photography seeking moonlight, you need both significant moon phase AND the moon to be visible above the horizon. For astrophotography, you ideally want either new moon phase OR the moon below the horizon during your shooting window. PhotoWeather tracks moon visibility status in real-time, combining rise/set calculations with current moon altitude to help you plan shoots precisely. Whether you're pursuing moonlit seascapes that require the moon high in the sky to illuminate waves and rocks, or Milky Way shots that demand the moon stay hidden below the horizon, knowing exactly when the moon will be visible—not just its phase—is essential for photographic success.