Moon
Moonrise Tonight in West Des Moines, IA
Tonight's moonrise and moonset for West Des Moines, Iowa — 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.
Waxing Gibbous · 90% illuminated
Tonight — Wednesday, September 23 · West Des Moines, IA
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Sun, moon & horizon
12h 7m of daylight · computed locally with suncalc
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The moon over West Des Moines on September 23, 2026
On the night of September 23, 2026, the moon over West Des Moines is a waxing gibbous at 90% illumination, rising at 5:46 PM toward 106° ESE — a 90%-lit disc clearing the horizon in the east. It sets at 3:42 AM.
That phase shapes the whole night. At 90% illumination the moon floods the landscape with light, washing out fainter stars but lighting foregrounds for you. For dramatic scale, shoot it low near the horizon — around moonrise at 5:46 PM — where it reads largest against buildings, hills or trees.
To keep the sky its deepest blue, work the window right after sunset (7:10 PM) into blue hour (7:29 PM – 7:38 PM), when the sky still holds colour but the moon already stands out. West Des Moines's 41.6°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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West Des Moines — frequently asked
- What time does the moon rise tonight in West Des Moines?
- Tonight's moonrise and moonset times for West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines?
- 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.