Cool Moon Facts by Whip

Real astronomy, with sources. Folklore & tradition.

Fact #003 Phases & orbit

The Moon rises about 50 minutes later each night, which is why a waning Moon feels like it's avoiding you.

In one day the Moon moves roughly 13° eastward along its orbit, and Earth needs about 50 extra minutes of spin to catch up to it. After full moon that delay stacks up fast: within a week the Moon isn't up until well after midnight, and it's still hanging around at breakfast.

Source: U.S. Naval Observatory (opens in a new tab) · checked Aug 2026

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