App Review: SunCalc and MoonCalc

Setting Full Moon - Maclearie Park
Belmar, New Jersey

I have referenced a few apps over the past few months and I promised to do some reviews. Today I am going to review two (2) apps that are essentially the same but different; SunCalc and MoonCalc. Their functionality and interface are the same, it is just the subject matter that is different. SunCalc shows information pertaining to the sun, while MoonCalc shows the same information but in relation to the moon.

SunCalc screen capture

A few years ago I wrote a review of Excate Golden Hour - App Review: Exsate Golden Hour. You could probably replace Golden Hour with SunCalc but I would recommend using both, as each has their strengths and weaknesses.

So. Why would you want either of these apps? If you are a landscape photographer it is helpful to know the times of sunrise and sunset but it is even more helpful to know where the sun will be at any given time. Using SunCalc, you can see exactly where the sun will be on the horizon when it rises - at any location on earth. If you have been wanting to get the sun rising (setting) over your favorite fishing pier but never seem to be able to time it right - this is the app for you!

I used MoonCalc to determine the date the full moon would be setting directly over "the tree" at Maclearie Park and was able to capture the lead image just before it dipped below the horizon. Using the app, I knew exactly when and where the moon was going to be, allowing me to set up in the dark with confidence.

SunCalc app menu

If you take a look at the screen capture on the right, you will see that the app is rather simple to use. You can either use your current location or any location you want to check out. You can even create a custom list of frequently visited locations using the "heart+" icon in the upper right corner. I wanted to take a look at Manasquan Reservoir (one of my custom locations) and got a snapshot of where the sun was at 10:40 AM this morning.

Date & Time input screen

The app shows "Azimuth", "Altitude" and "Shadow" for the time selected as-well-as the time of "Sunrise", "Sunset" and "High Noon", or when the sun is directly overhead. Using this information you can plan your outing. If you want to see where the sun will set, just remove the check in the "Live" box and slide the time to when you will be shooting. As you move the time slider, you will see the position of the sun move - when it changes from orange to gray, you have gone beyond sunset. You can also set the time and date by touching anywhere on the date above the slider which will bring you to another screen allowing you to set a precise date and time.

If you want to zoom in (or out) - you can do so by "pinching" the screen. If you want to move to a different location within the general area, just use your finger to move the map to where you want the center point to be. You can get to a specific location/address by touching the screen (in this instance to the left of the green "on" button) and enter the address in the search box. There are three lines in the upper-left corner of the app - pressing this icon will open the menu where you can directly access any of the functions discussed above.

Sunset - Maclearie Park

As you can see, the app is rather simple and easy to use but provides quite a bit of useful information. I won't go into MoonCalc because it is exactly the same except it relates to the moon instead of the sun. The really nice thing with these apps is that they both have web-based counter-parts so you can sit in the comfort of your home and pre-plan your landscape shoot. The websites are https://www.suncalc.org/ and https://www.mooncalc.org/. The websites contain quite a bit more information, the ability to print what is on the screen and links for downloading the apps. To be honest, I use the websites more than I do the app; the app is used primarily for when I go out on a spur-of-the-moment shoot.

You can change the type of map displayed by using the "Settings" menu option - the illustration used here is the basic map, there is also an option to show streets or a satellite image. I use the satellite image on the website to give me a better idea of compositions while I have the default or street maps on the phone app to give me a general idea of where the sun will be.

As a final example, the Maclearie Park sunset was planned using the SunCalc website. Knowing where the sun will be setting in the sky long before it actually approaches the horizon is a great advantage. I was able to find this composition and set up at my leisure.

The bottom-line is this - download and install both apps and keep them on your phone. They don't take up a lot of space and you never know when they will give you the information you need to grab the perfect shot! Oh, did I mention? They are 100% free!

---

All photos are copyright Joseph S. Valencia All Rights Reserved They may not be used in any way without express written permission of the photographer. If you wish to use any of the photos, or purchase prints, you may contact the photographer at valencia32photo@gmail.com

---