Moon phases, perigee and why some days get four stars

Two days can have the same number of windows and still feel completely different in the field. Solunar's day rating tries to capture that difference in one number from 1 to 4 stars.

Phase: new and full moon

Tradition holds that solunar activity is strongest around the new moon and the full moon, when sun and moon line up with the Earth and tides are at their biggest. The rating gives the most weight to how close the day is to one of those two phases, tapering off towards the quarters.

Perigee: when the moon is closest

The moon's orbit is an ellipse. Once a month it reaches perigee, its closest point to Earth, and tidal forces get a little stronger. When perigee falls near a new or full moon — the so-called supermoon — Solunar gives the day an extra boost.

Sun stacks: the multiplier

A day earns more when its windows overlap sunrise or sunset. Low light already makes many animals bolder; a solunar window on top of it is the classic recipe for prime time. Each sun stack adds to the score, up to two per day.

From score to stars

These ingredients add up to a score, and the score maps to stars:

Four-star days are rare on purpose. If Solunar says Prime day, it's worth taking the morning off.

Keep your eyes open

No table knows about tomorrow's cold front or the farmer who just cut the field. Treat the rating as a smart starting point, then let wind, pressure and your own scouting have the last word.

Go deeper

Which phase is best? See best moon phase for fishing and deer hunting and the moon. For the honest view, read does solunar theory work?.