The Moon generally rises in the eastern half of the horizon and sets in the western half, similar to the Sun, due to Earth's eastward rotation
. However, the exact direction where the Moon rises varies depending on the lunar phase, time of year, and observer's location.
- Around the times of the Vernal (spring) and Fall equinoxes, a full Moon rises close to due east and sets close to due west because it is nearly opposite the setting Sun
- Most often, the Moon rises somewhere between east-northeast and east-southeast and sets between west-northwest and west-southwest
- This variation occurs because the Moon's orbit is tilted about 5 degrees relative to Earth's equator, causing its rising point to shift north or south along the horizon throughout the year
- The Moon rises approximately 30 to 70 minutes later each day, and its rising position changes daily as it moves about 13 degrees eastward in its orbit around Earth
Additionally, the Moon's rising direction differs slightly between hemispheres:
- In the Northern Hemisphere, the Moon tends to rise in the east-southeast and set in the west-southwest.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, it rises in the east-northeast and sets in the west-northwest
In summary, the Moon rises roughly in the east but can vary from east- northeast to east-southeast depending on the date, lunar phase, and observer's hemisphere
