Use these forms to obtain rise, set, and transit times for the Sun and Moon; civil twilight beginning and end times; and, lunar phase information. First, specify the date and location in one of the two forms below. Then, click the "Get data" button at the end of the form.
Use Form A for cities or towns in the U.S. or its territories. Use Form B for all other locations. Both forms are immediately below.
Be sure to read the Notes section located after the two forms, especially if you wish to use these data for legal purposes.
Form A - U.S. Cities or Towns
Form B - Locations Worldwide
Legal Use of the Calculated Data
Please see Astronomical Data Used for Litigation if you are interested in using the data produced by this service for legal purposes.
Definitions
For more information on the terms used, see the Astronomical Almanac On-line Glossary, Rise, Set, and Twilight Definitions or Phases of the Moon and Percent of the Moon Illuminated in the Astronomical Information Center.
Computing Data for Multiple Days
If you need rise, set, or twilight times for a series of dates for a specific location, use our Sun or Moon Rise/Set Table for One Year service, which computes a one-page table covering a calendar year.
Time Formats
For U.S. cities or towns (Form A), the output times will be on a 12-hour clock (with "a.m." or "p.m." listed). For worldwide locations (Form B), the output times will be on a 24-hour clock.
Time Zones
For U.S. cities or towns (Form A), phenomena times are presented in the standard time of the place requested, using the current time zone of that place. Standard time in time zones was introduced in the U.S. in 1883, but the time zone boundaries have evolved considerably since then, with places shifting from one zone to another. This service makes no attempt to track such changes.
For worldwide locations (Form B) that require it, the time zone can be entered in hours and a fraction. For example, for locations in India, the time zone may be entered as 5.5 hours east of Greenwich. The time zone field can accommodate up to five characters.
Daylight Time
Daylight time is implemented only for U.S. cities or towns (Form A) and only for years 1967 and later, in accordance with the Uniform Time Act of 1966 and subsequent legislation. Daylight time is not used for places currently exempt from it.
Sunset photo by Lu Rarogiewicz from Mt. Wilson, California.