Title: Celestial Lunar Phase Widget Author: John Martin Published: April 14, 2026 Last modified: June 7, 2026 --- Search plugins ![](https://ps.w.org/celestial-lunar-phase/assets/banner-772x250.png?rev=3563439) ![](https://ps.w.org/celestial-lunar-phase/assets/icon-256x256.png?rev=3563439) # Celestial Lunar Phase Widget By [John Martin](https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnfoo/) [Download](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/celestial-lunar-phase.2.2.2.zip) * [Details](https://wordpress.org/plugins/celestial-lunar-phase/#description) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/plugins/celestial-lunar-phase/#reviews) * [Installation](https://wordpress.org/plugins/celestial-lunar-phase/#installation) * [Development](https://wordpress.org/plugins/celestial-lunar-phase/#developers) [Support](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/celestial-lunar-phase/) ## Description Celestial Lunar Phase Widget helps WordPress sites display the current Moon phase in a polished astronomy card. The plugin shows: * Current lunar phase name * Moonrise time * Moonset time * Astronomical dawn time * Astronomical dusk time * Illumination percentage * Bundled Moon phase image matched to the phase * Optional location label * Optional calculation/source note Version 2.2 removes the WeatherAPI dependency and calculates lunar and twilight information locally using the observing location configured in WordPress admin. It also improves setup with a location lookup tool, browser geolocation helper, and timezone dropdown. #### Key features * Local astronomy calculations; no API key required * Moonrise and moonset times * Astronomical dawn and dusk display * Current lunar phase and illumination percentage * Bundled Moon phase photos packaged locally * Location lookup helper for admin setup * Browser geolocation helper for admin setup * Timezone dropdown to prevent typos and date-shift errors * Latitude, longitude, timezone, and optional elevation settings * Shortcode: `[celestial_lunar_phase_widget]` * Gutenberg block: **Celestial Lunar Phase Widget** * 12-hour or 24-hour time display * Per-location and per-date caching for better performance * Admin notice after update if location settings need to be completed #### Support Support and documentation are available at: https://celestialwebdevelopment.com/ lunar-phase-plugin/ ### External Services This plugin performs all lunar phase, moonrise, moonset, astronomical dawn, and astronomical dusk calculations locally. It does not send visitor data to an astronomy API. The optional **Lookup Location** button on the admin settings page uses the OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoding service to convert a place name into latitude and longitude. This lookup is only triggered by an administrator clicking the button in wp-admin. The query entered by the administrator is sent to Nominatim for geocoding. The service may receive the searched location text, your site’s server IP address, and standard request metadata. Service provider: OpenStreetMap Nominatim Terms: https://operations.osmfoundation. org/policies/nominatim/ Privacy: https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy The **Use My Current Location** button uses the browser’s built-in geolocation prompt. Coordinates are only saved after the administrator clicks **Save Changes**. ## Screenshots [⌊Frontend lunar phase widget display.⌉⌊Frontend lunar phase widget display.⌉[ Frontend lunar phase widget display. [⌊Plugin settings screen.⌉⌊Plugin settings screen.⌉[ Plugin settings screen. ## Blocks This plugin provides 1 block. * Celestial Lunar Phase Widget ## Installation 1. Upload the plugin folder to `/wp-content/plugins/` or install the ZIP from **Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin**. 2. Activate the plugin. 3. Go to **Settings > Celestial Lunar Phase Widget**. 4. Enter a city, state, address, or place name and click **Lookup Location**, or use** Use My Current Location**. 5. Verify the timezone dropdown and save changes. 6. Add the **Celestial Lunar Phase Widget** block or place `[celestial_lunar_phase_widget]` into a post, page, or widget area. ## FAQ ### Does the plugin require an API key? No. Version 2.2 calculates the Moon phase, moonrise, moonset, astronomical dawn, and astronomical dusk locally. No WeatherAPI key or external astronomy data service is required. ### Why do I need latitude and longitude? Moonrise, moonset, dawn, and dusk are location-specific. Version 2.2 uses the configured latitude, longitude, and timezone to calculate the correct local values. The settings page includes Location Lookup and Use My Current Location helpers to make this easier. ### What happens when upgrading from an older API-based version? After the update, WordPress admins will see a notice asking them to complete the new location settings. The widget will display a safe setup message until latitude, longitude, and timezone are saved. Use Location Lookup or Use My Current Location from the settings page. ### Why might times differ from Timeanddate.com or other services? Moonrise and moonset times can differ between services because of location precision, elevation, terrain/horizon assumptions, atmospheric refraction, and calculation methods. ### Does the plugin include Moon images? Yes. Eight Moon phase images are bundled locally inside the plugin package. ### Does the plugin include a Gutenberg block? Yes. The plugin includes a dynamic Gutenberg block with editor controls for location label, date, title, and display options. ## Reviews There are no reviews for this plugin. ## Contributors & Developers “Celestial Lunar Phase Widget” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin. Contributors * [ John Martin ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnfoo/) [Translate “Celestial Lunar Phase Widget” into your language.](https://translate.wordpress.org/projects/wp-plugins/celestial-lunar-phase) ### Interested in development? [Browse the code](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/celestial-lunar-phase/), check out the [SVN repository](https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/celestial-lunar-phase/), or subscribe to the [development log](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/celestial-lunar-phase/) by [RSS](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/log/celestial-lunar-phase/?limit=100&mode=stop_on_copy&format=rss). ## Changelog #### 2.2.0 * Added Location Lookup helper using OpenStreetMap Nominatim from the admin settings page. * Added timezone dropdown with common timezones and all IANA timezone identifiers. * Improved setup guidance and admin notice language for upgrades from API-based versions. * Kept local astronomy calculations only; WeatherAPI remains removed. #### 2.1.0 * Removed WeatherAPI mode and API key settings. * Added local-only astronomy calculations. * Added admin notice when latitude, longitude, or timezone settings are missing after update. * Kept browser geolocation helper for easier setup. * Updated branding and documentation for Celestial Web Development. #### 2.0.9 * Fixed local date handling for the configured observing timezone. * Shortened astronomical twilight labels to Dawn and Dusk. #### 2.0.8 * Improved moonrise and moonset calculations using a SunCalc-style algorithm. * Improved phase and illumination calculation. #### 2.0.2 * Added local calculation diagnostics and safer timezone handling. #### 2.0.0 * Added local astronomy calculation mode for moonrise and moonset. * Changed local sun times display to astronomical dawn and astronomical dusk. * Added latitude, longitude, timezone, and elevation settings. * Added browser geolocation helper in admin. #### 1.1.0 * Added Gutenberg block support. * Added bundled WordPress.org assets and screenshots. #### 1.0.0 * Initial release. ## Meta * Version **2.2.2** * Last updated **5 days ago** * Active installations **10+** * WordPress version ** 6.0 or higher ** * Tested up to **7.0** * PHP version ** 7.4 or higher ** * Tags * [astronomy](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/astronomy/)[moon phase](https://wordpress.org/plugins/tags/moon-phase/) * [Advanced View](https://wordpress.org/plugins/celestial-lunar-phase/advanced/) ## Ratings No reviews have been submitted yet. [Your review](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/celestial-lunar-phase/reviews/#new-post) [See all reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/celestial-lunar-phase/reviews/) ## Contributors * [ John Martin ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/johnfoo/) ## Support Got something to say? Need help? [View support forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/celestial-lunar-phase/)