Full moon behind Mount Etna
Computed from Taormina, looking south-west along the coast — 28.1 km from the summit — against the real ridge line, not a flat horizon. (37.8530, 15.2870)
The next full moon behind Etna from this viewpoint is Tuesday 20 April 2027 at 04:39 CEST, ≈6.5 moon-widths above the ridge (+3.4°) and setting.
Free, in the browser — the sky view opens at this minute, from this spot, with the real ridge line. Drag the pin to YOUR spot and the whole schedule recomputes.
Upcoming line-ups (next 18 months)
| Date | Time | Moon | Height over ridge | Motion | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 2027 | 04:39 | 99% | ≈6.5 moon-widths above the ridge (+3.4°) | setting | See it in 3D → |
| 17 Aug 2027 | 05:28 | 100% | ≈2.6 moon-widths above the ridge (+1.3°) | setting | See it in 3D → |
All times are local to the viewpoint (Europe/Rome). Scan window 17 Aug 2026 → 16 Feb 2028. Months not listed have no line-up — the moon crosses this bearing most nights, but rarely full and at ridge height.
Questions
- What does "behind Etna" mean exactly?
- Each row is a minute when the full (≥95%) moon crosses the exact bearing from the viewpoint to the summit, within a few degrees of the ridge height. From 28.1 km away the moon still spans its usual 0.52° — about one fingernail at arm's length — so framing moon and summit together wants a long lens (300 mm+ on full frame; the tighter the row's "height over ridge", the tighter the shot).
- Why does terrain matter?
- A mountain horizon sits degrees above the geometric one. Times computed against a flat horizon can be tens of minutes off, or list nights where the moon never clears the ridge at all. These rows are gated against a 360° elevation ray-cast from the viewpoint.
- Is the moon rising or setting in these shots?
- The Motion column says. A rising line-up means shooting after moonrise (usually evening); a setting one often means a pre-dawn session — plan the hike accordingly.
- What if my spot is different?
- Move the pin. Every preview link opens Heliora with this viewpoint and target pre-set — drag the pin to YOUR spot and the scanner recomputes the whole schedule for it, free, in the browser.
Method
Geometry from astronomy-engine (±1 arcminute, ΔT-corrected). Terrain from AWS Terrarium elevation tiles, ray-cast 360° from the viewpoint (37.8530, 15.2870); reference altitude is the ridge line at the summit bearing (246° WSW). Hits require ≥95% illumination and the moon within −0.5° to +4° of the ridge. Times are local to the viewpoint. Accuracy notes: heliora.app/method.