Moon
Moonrise Tonight in Sterling, AK
Tonight's moonrise and moonset for Sterling, Alaska — with the compass direction the moon comes up, its current phase and illumination, and the date of the next full moon. For full-moon shots, photograph as the moon rises near the horizon for dramatic scale.
Waning Crescent · 20% illuminated
Tonight — Saturday, August 8 · Sterling, AK
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Sun, moon & horizon
16h 19m of daylight · computed locally with suncalc
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The moon over Sterling on August 8, 2026
On the night of August 8, 2026, the moon over Sterling is a waning crescent at 20% illumination, already up at nightfall and setting at 9:36 PM.
That phase shapes the whole night. At 20% illumination the moon adds almost no light, leaving the sky dark for stars and the Milky Way. For dramatic scale, shoot it low near the horizon — around moonrise — where it reads largest against buildings, hills or trees.
To keep the sky its deepest blue, work the window right after sunset (10:17 PM) into blue hour (10:56 PM – 11:13 PM), when the sky still holds colour but the moon already stands out. Sterling's 60.5°N latitude means the moon's nightly path — and how high it climbs — shifts with the seasons; the planner tracks tonight's exact rise, set and bearings.
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Gear for the shot
- Telephoto zoom (70–300mm) Make the moon a real size in frame.
- Super-telephoto (150–600mm) Fill the frame with the rising full moon.
- Sturdy tripod Essential for sharp long-lens lunar shots.
- Remote shutter release Trigger without touching the camera.
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Sterling — frequently asked
- What time does the moon rise tonight in Sterling?
- Tonight's moonrise and moonset times for Sterling, with their compass bearings, are shown in the Moon panel above.
- When is the next full moon?
- The next full moon date is shown above. A full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, staying visible all night.
- Which direction does the moon rise in Sterling?
- The moon rises in the eastern half of the sky and sets in the west; the exact bearing for today is on the compass above.