LoupeLabMoon Phase in Rio de Janeiro Today
Monday, August 31, 2026 · Brazil
Waning Gibbous
90% illuminated
Tonight’s Moon in Rio de Janeiro
Best viewing at 2:45 AM facing N · 52° above horizon
The Moon & Rio de Janeiro
Southern Hemisphere tropical with dramatic mountainous terrain
Lunar Culture in Rio de Janeiro
Rio's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado (710m) is one of the world's most dramatic settings for moon photography. Brazilian Candomble and Umbanda spiritual traditions honor Yemanja (ocean goddess) with rituals timed to moon phases. The Carnival calendar follows Easter, which is itself calculated from the lunar cycle. The Valongo Observatory (1827) is one of the oldest in South America.
How the Moon Affects Rio de Janeiro
Guanabara Bay's tidal range of about 1.3 meters affects Rio's port operations and coastal neighborhoods. Brazilian fishing communities along the coast follow lunar tidal tables for sardine, shrimp, and mullet. The full moon over Copacabana Beach draws crowds for the annual New Year's Eve celebration, where Candomble practitioners make offerings to Yemanja.
Best Moon Viewing in Rio de Janeiro
Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar, 396m) and Corcovado (710m) provide the most dramatic elevated moonrise views anywhere in the world. Arpoador Rock between Ipanema and Copacabana beaches offers a ground-level ocean perspective.
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Upcoming Lunar Events
New Moon
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Full MoonHarvest Moon
Saturday, September 26, 2026
New Moon
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Full MoonHunter's Moon
Monday, October 26, 2026
New Moon
Monday, November 9, 2026
Full MoonBeaver Moon
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Moonphase Watches & Rio de Janeiro
Set Your Moonphase Watch in Rio de Janeiro
To set your moonphase complication in Rio de Janeiro: wait for the next full moon (Saturday, September 26), then advance the moonphase disc to show a full moon centered in the aperture. Set the time to 8:59 PM local time. Use our drift calculator to check if your complication has drifted since you last set it.
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