Moonrise and moonset

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A full moon sinking behind San Gorgonio Mountain, California, on a midsummer morning Moondrop.jpg
A full moon sinking behind San Gorgonio Mountain, California, on a midsummer morning

Moonrise and moonset are times when the upper limb of the Moon appears above the horizon and disappears below it, respectively. The exact times depend on the lunar phase and declination, as well as the observer's location. As viewed from outside the polar circles, the Moon, like all other celestial objects outside the circumpolar circle, rises from the eastern half of the horizon and sets into the western half [1] due to Earth's rotation. [2]

Contents

Direction and time

Direction

Since Earth rotates eastward, all celestial objects outside the circumpolar circle (including the Sun, Moon, and stars) rise in the east and set in the west [2] for observers outside the polar circles. Seasonal variation means that they sometimes rise in the east-northeast or east-southeast, and sometimes set in the west-southwest or west-northwest. [3] This north-south variation of the point along the horizon is bookended by two lunar standstills or turnarounds, the directions of which are sometimes depicted in archaeoastronomical constructions. [4] It takes 18.6 years for the Moon to traverse this variation viewed from a vantage point on Earth.

Time

A waxing gibbous Moon, rising over mountains with coniferous trees Half moon rising from the back deck (14630153843).jpg
A waxing gibbous Moon, rising over mountains with coniferous trees

The Moon's position relative to Earth and the Sun determines the moonrise and moonset time. For example, a last quarter rises at midnight and sets at noon. [5] A waning gibbous is best seen from late night to early morning. [6] The Moon rises 50 minutes later each day/night than the day/night before, due to the fact that the Moon moves 13 degrees every day. Hence, the Earth must move 13 degrees after completing one rotation for the Moon to be visible. [7]

Moonrise/moonset for different moon phases
Lunar phase (illustration as seen from northern hemisphere)Moonrise [a] Culmination time (highest point)MoonsetBest seen
Moon phase 0.svg New moon 6 AM Sun at noon.jpg Noon6 PMNot visible unless there is a solar eclipse
Moon phase 1.svg Waxing crescent9 AM Afternoon sun image.jpg Afternoon9 PMLate morning to early evening
Moon phase 2.svg First quarter12 PM Blackbird-sunset-03.jpg Sunset12 AMEarly evening to late night
Moon phase 3.svg Waxing gibbous3 PM Dark sky.jpg Late evening3 AMEarly evening [8] and most of night
Moon phase 4.svg Full moon 6 PM Night Sky.png Midnight6 AMSunset to sunrise (all night), a lunar eclipse is then possible
Moon phase 5.svg Waning gibbous9 PM Alishan predawn.JPG Predawn9 AMMost of night and early morning [6]
Moon phase 6.svg Last quarter12 AM Sunrise in Pieniny, Poland 02.jpg Sunrise12 PMPredawn to post-sunrise
Moon phase 7.svg Waning crescent3 AM Schutzling In The Morning Sun (188074791).jpeg Late morning3 PMPredawn to afternoon

Visual appearance

Atmospheric distortion of the Moon's appearance at Earth's horizon. ISS-15 Moonset above Coral Sea.gif
Atmospheric distortion of the Moon's appearance at Earth's horizon.

The Moon appears to be larger at moonrise or moonset due to an illusion. This illusion, known as the Moon illusion, is caused by an effect of the brain. There is no definitive explanation for the Moon illusion. However, it is most likely because of how the brain perceives objects at different distances, and/or the distance we expect objects to be from us when they are near the horizon. [9]

The Moon appears to be more yellowish near the horizon. This is for the same reason the Sun and/or sky appears to be orangey-red at sunrise/sunset. When the Moon appears near the horizon, the light coming from it has to pass through more layers of atmosphere. This scatters the blue away, and leaves yellow, orange, and red. [10] This is also the reason the Moon appears red during a deep partial or total lunar eclipse. [11]

Notes

  1. Varies slightly. (Same note for "Culmination time (highest point)" and "Moonset".)

References

  1. "Does the Moon rise and set as the Sun rises in the east and..." Old Farmer's Almanac . Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  2. 1 2 "Why does the Sun rise in the east and set in the west?". starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov. Goddard Space Flight Center . Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  3. "Does the Moon rise and set as the Sun rises in the east and..." Old Farmer's Almanac . Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  4. Krupp, Ed. "Marking Time by Moonlight". Echoes of the Ancient Skies. p. 13.
  5. "What is a last quarter moon? | Moon Phases | EarthSky". earthsky.org. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  6. 1 2 "What is a waning gibbous moon? | Moon Phases | EarthSky". earthsky.org. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  7. Scudder, Jillian. "Why Does The Moon Rise Later Each Day?". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  8. "What is a waxing gibbous moon? | Moon Phases | EarthSky". earthsky.org. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  9. Preston Dyches, By. "The Moon Illusion: Why Does the Moon Look So Big Sometimes?". NASA Solar System Exploration. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  10. "What Is the Meaning of a Yellow Moon?". Reference.com. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  11. "What Is a Blood Moon?". www.timeanddate.com. Retrieved 2021-06-03.