What affects sunset time?

The Earth’s orbit around the Sun is elliptical, rather than circular, and the Earth’s axis of rotation is not perpendicular to the plane of the orbit. This non-circularity of the orbit and the tilt of the Earth’s axis of rotation both contribute to the uneven changes in the times of sunrise and sunset.

What causes sunrise and sunset?

But it appears to rise and set because of the Earth’s rotation on its axis. It makes one complete turn every 24 hours. As the Earth rotates toward the east, it looks like the sun is moving west. As the Earth rotates, different locations on Earth pass through the sun’s light.

Does Sunset vary with latitude?

As the Earth moves around the Sun, the length of the day (defined as the time between sunrise and sunset) changes. The extent to which it changes depends on latitude, as shown in the graph below: (Latitudes beyond 66°33′ are not shown because the Sun does not always rise or set at these latitudes.)

What determines sunrise and sunset?

Basically, sunrise and sunset are based on when the upper edge of the sun`s disc appears to touch the horizon. ”Appears” is used because the sun`s rays are bent, or refracted, slightly by the Earth`s atmosphere. At a given location and day of the year, the times of sunrise and sunset do not remain constant.

What latitude is sunrise?

To be exact, Earth’s spin and its axis tilt combine to make the Sun appear 23.5 degrees north or south of the equator at its most northern and southern points.

Does Latitude Affect time?

At latitude 0° (the Equator) day length will be approximately 12 hours. Areas on the Equator have a constant 12 hours of day light all year round. As latitude increases to 80° (polar circles – north or south) day length can be seen to increase to 24 hours or decrease to zero (depending on time of year).

How does latitude affect the direction of Sunrise and Sunset?

According to this table, at latitude 30 degrees (North or South) the sun will rise and set 27 degrees away from due east and due west on both solstices, the dates of maximum amplitude. Let’s look now at two specific examples of how latitude affects the direction of sunrise and sunset.

What is the best way to calculate sunrise and Sunset?

This sunrise-sunset calculator finds the times for sunrise, sunset, transit (zenith), dawn and dusk based on latitude and longitude. Using Boston, MA US for example, enter degrees and minutes as 42° 21′ north, 71° 5′ west, or use decimal degrees such as 42.35° north, 71.08° west (-71.08 east) and leave the minutes field blank.

How does altitude affect the setting time of the Sun?

At most latitudes on the Earth, the effect of increased altitude is the same: it makes the Sun rise earlier and set later than it would at that same location from the ground. To make things simple, let’s assume that you are in a plane over the ocean, at the equator at sunset.

Why do some parts of the Earth have earlier sunsets?

The combination of all these things means that at every time of year, some parts of the Earth get earlier sunrises and later sunsets than other parts. How much more daylight they see depends on their latitude. In June, the North Pole is at its closest to the Sun, and it’s pointing inwards, towards the Sun at an angle.