Navigating by the Moon

By Sean Fagan.

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Finding your Way by the Silver Light of the Moon

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As a navigational aid the moon can be somewhat inaccurate.

In the words of natural navigator and writer, Tristan Gooley - "The moon is a fascinating and sometimes slippery object for the natural navigator to tame. There are fast and slow methods for finding direction naturally using the moon, but unfortunately no known fast accurate methods" (reference link at end of article).

So, is there any other moon information that can be used to complement standard moon-navigation methods for greater accuracy?

There certainly is.

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Moon-Rise, Moon-Set & Lunar Noon

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In effect I have 3 accurate indicators of time and compass bearings based on certain stages of the moon's travels through the sky - 1) Time & compass bearing of moon-rise 2) Time & compass bearing of lunar noon 3) Time & compass bearing of moon-set.

When combined with good map & compass skills - natural navigation cues like the moon become all the more reliable for navigation.

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An Example...

On February, 24th, 2016 - Dublin city, I took the above photo of the moon at 8pm, just an hour after moon-rise (moon-rise time was 7pm for that night).

At 7pm, the moon was rising at a compass bearing of 88° degrees East, so when I saw the moon it had just traveled past East (east being exactly 90° degrees).

The moon follows a similar east to west arc across the sky - like the sun, so when the moon arises from its easterly bearing it slowly begins to ascend to its southern, lunar noon position in the sky then slowly descends to the western horizon.

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                                Time    Compass Bearing 

Time of Moon Rise & Bearing:    19:59 - 88° East

Time of Lunar Noon:             12.48 - 180° South

Time of Moon Set & Bearing:     07:59 - 275° West 

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Of course, the chance of using the above moon-set time of 7: 59am is slim.

Nevertheless, the time of moon-set (and moon-rise) is highly variable, even throughout the course of a week, so there is a good chance that the moon-rise and moon-set times will fall within a reasonable time frame for navigational purposes on most weeks.

Not forgetting that the moon occasionally rises and sets during daylight hours and can be used as a navigational aid during the day.

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Where do I get my Information about the Moon?

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Personally, I obtain my moon information from the following website.

The advantage of this website is that any location can be punched in and it will give you all the relevant information.

I like to get a monthly print-out of moon-rise, moon-set and lunar noon times and bearing (along with sun-rise, sun-set & solar noon times & bearing for daytime navigation).

I then place this print-out in a robust, waterproof and transparent plastic cover - such as a map case.

I always tuck away this print-out in a protected place in my rucksack. I don't always use it - but when I do, I'm always glad I brought it.

Of course, many GPS devices and smart phones have this information - either via online websites or as an app.

Still, I like to being a hard copy - to counter any potential difficulties with electronic devices.

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Knowing the moon's navigational value, and better still, navigating by the moon, can encourage a deeper appreciation of the moon.

It can deepen our understanding of our ancestors, both prehistoric and historic, who navigated by the moon (and other celestial markers).

But more than all of the above - navigating by the moon encourages an individual to look at the moon more often.

It's little wonder so many past cultures revered the silent, silver face of the moon.

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"The sky is a beautiful old parchment in which the sun and moon keep their diary"

Alfred Kreymburg