How accurate is the moon position data?
Our calculations use established astronomical algorithms (VSOP87 and ELP2000) and are accurate to within 0.01 degrees for position and about 1km for distance. This precision is suitable for telescope pointing and professional applications.
What is parallactic angle and why is it useful?
Parallactic angle describes the rotation of the moon relative to the horizon. It's essential for astrophotographers to know how the moon will appear oriented in their images and for aligning telescope mounts.
Can I get moon position for a specific date and time?
Yes, you can pass an optional datetime parameter to get the moon position for any date and time, past or future. If not specified, we return the current moon position.
How does moon distance affect what I see?
The moon's distance varies from about 356,500 km (perigee) to 406,700 km (apogee). At perigee, the moon appears about 14% larger and brighter. This is especially noticeable during a "supermoon" when a full moon coincides with perigee.
Do you provide moonrise and moonset times?
The Moon Position API focuses on current position data. For rise/set times, use our dedicated Moonrise/Moonset API which provides precise times for any location and date.
Can this API help with tidal predictions?
Yes, moon position and distance are key factors in tidal calculations. The moon's gravitational pull is strongest when closest to Earth and when directly overhead or underfoot at a location.
Is the API suitable for telescope automation?
Absolutely. Our moon position data provides the altitude and azimuth precision needed for telescope pointing systems. The parallactic angle is particularly useful for equatorial mount alignment.
How often should I refresh moon position data?
The moon moves about 0.5 degrees per hour across the sky, so for visual applications, updating every 5-10 minutes is sufficient. For telescope tracking, more frequent updates may be needed.
