I know someone here can help me with this. I read recently in one of my dozen or so nature photography books that you can determine where and when the moon will set based on where and when it rose. I can't find this anywhere...but I know I didn't dream it.
I'm using the TPE app. that Floris mentioned right now to determine the optimum location for tonight's moonrise over Shiprock, NM. Awesome is a word that becomes trite from overuse, but this little program is just that.
I still use this Sun/Moon Altitude/Azimuth Table for precise times and bearings (and in conjunction with a compass in the field), but the TPE has eliminated the tedious map plotting that I used to have to do. Highly recommended!
Marylynne, if by chance you might have an I-phone or I-pod touch, there is a very handy app you can purchase for $4.99 that does just this for you. The app is called Focalware.
I haven't used the feature in so long that I don't remember much about it, but I could swear that app is already loaded on one of my handheld GPS units (Gramin).
Posted by Frank Field on June 25, 2010 at 11:33 AM
The U.S. Naval Observatory has a useful website providing a variety of sun, moon and tide data. Sun or moon data for a single day can be found at: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/alt-az-us. The only minor drawback is that data are given in Standard Time -- you have to remember to adjust for Daylight Time.
Posted by David Taylor on June 25, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Besides "The Photographers Ephemeris" iPhone/iPod/iPad app, he also offers a great app for macs/pcs. Same program but on a computer. Wonderful program. And free.
I just checked my newer model (Garmin Colorado 400C), and the Sun and Moon program is on it, too. It gives you the time of rise and set for both, adjusted for your current location. On a second screen it also gives you the current locations for each on a compass.
I've used the feature in the past on my old machine, and it was really handy for shot planning, wherever I was working. If you don't currently own a GPS, add the Sun and Moon program to the many other excuses for buying one.
They fit nicely in a camera bag, and more than once mine have helped me navigate a long ways back to my truck after dark.... A long, long ways as a matter of fact.
Priceless compared to stumbling around looking for trails in the dark after shooting too late.
Thanks, Hank. I have the Garmin Vista Cx...it has it too!!! Who knew?
Hey, I even knew it was there from past use and forgot. Here I was searching around the web and weighing one program against another.... And the best was sitting in my camera bag the whole time!
I've been looking for something like TPE for years. Downloaded it and spent the last half-hour or so playing with it and doing some itinerary planning. It verified my guessed-at destination for the full moonset tomorrow morning to get the picture I have in mind, atmospheric conditions permitting. The map and aerial photo feature with graphic vectors showing the direction of the moon and sun rise and set is a terrific boon.
TPE will replace the websites and not-free software I've been using.
Discussion
12 repliesIs there a general rule for this??
I still use this Sun/Moon Altitude/Azimuth Table for precise times and bearings (and in conjunction with a compass in the field), but the TPE has eliminated the tedious map plotting that I used to have to do. Highly recommended!
I'll take a look at these programs.
I've used the feature in the past on my old machine, and it was really handy for shot planning, wherever I was working. If you don't currently own a GPS, add the Sun and Moon program to the many other excuses for buying one.
They fit nicely in a camera bag, and more than once mine have helped me navigate a long ways back to my truck after dark.... A long, long ways as a matter of fact.
Priceless compared to stumbling around looking for trails in the dark after shooting too late.
I also downloaded the TPE program, but I need to associate a .air file with a program I don't have so that will take some tech time.
Hey, I even knew it was there from past use and forgot. Here I was searching around the web and weighing one program against another.... And the best was sitting in my camera bag the whole time!
I've been looking for something like TPE for years. Downloaded it and spent the last half-hour or so playing with it and doing some itinerary planning. It verified my guessed-at destination for the full moonset tomorrow morning to get the picture I have in mind, atmospheric conditions permitting. The map and aerial photo feature with graphic vectors showing the direction of the moon and sun rise and set is a terrific boon.
TPE will replace the websites and not-free software I've been using.