How to Measure the Elevation of the Moon

Method 1: Use an Inclinometer

Method 2: Use the USNO website (U.S. Naval Observatory Data Services)

1. Go to: https://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/AltAz
2. For Object, select “Moon”
3. Enter the date
4. Enter a Tabular Interval of 5 minutes (default is 10 minutes)
5. Enter your location using Latitude/Longitude or click “Need USA Location?”
6. Your time zone will automatically be loaded into the Time Zone field but you can change this if needed
7. Click Get Data

A table showing the moon’s “Altitude” (or elevation) is shown for every 5 minutes throughout the day in military time, except for when the Moon is below the horizon). Choose the time interval closest to your observation time and note the Altitude reading.