Sunrise Sunset Calculator
Calculate sunrise, sunset, and daylight times for any location and date. This calculator provides accurate times for dawn, dusk, and twilight periods, helping you plan outdoor activities, photography sessions, or simply understand daylight patterns.
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About Sunrise and Sunset Calculations
Sunrise and sunset times are calculated based on the position of the sun relative to the Earth. These times vary depending on your location (latitude and longitude), the date, and local topography. Our calculator uses astronomical algorithms to provide accurate times for different phases of daylight.
Understanding the Results
The calculator provides several key times related to the sun's position:
- Sunrise: The moment the upper edge of the sun appears on the horizon in the morning.
- Sunset: The moment the upper edge of the sun disappears below the horizon in the evening.
- Daylight Duration: The total time between sunrise and sunset when the sun is above the horizon.
- Civil Twilight: Begins in the morning when the sun is 6° below the horizon and ends at sunrise. In the evening, it begins at sunset and ends when the sun reaches 6° below the horizon. Enough light for most outdoor activities.
- Nautical Twilight: Occurs when the sun is between 6° and 12° below the horizon. The horizon is still visible at sea, and general outlines of objects may be distinguishable.
- Astronomical Twilight: Occurs when the sun is between 12° and 18° below the horizon. The sky is dark enough for most astronomical observations.
Factors Affecting Sunrise and Sunset Times
Several factors influence when sunrise and sunset occur at a particular location:
- Latitude: Locations closer to the poles experience greater variation in daylight hours throughout the year.
- Longitude: Determines your position within a time zone, affecting local solar time.
- Time of year: The Earth's axial tilt causes seasonal variations in daylight hours.
- Altitude: Higher elevations may see slightly earlier sunrises and later sunsets due to the horizon being "lower."
- Local topography: Mountains or tall buildings can block the sun, affecting actual visibility times.
Practical Applications
Knowing sunrise and sunset times has many practical applications:
- Photography: Plan golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) for optimal lighting conditions.
- Agriculture: Farmers use daylight hours to plan planting and harvesting schedules.
- Energy management: Solar power generation depends directly on daylight availability.
- Outdoor activities: Hikers, campers, and sailors need to know daylight hours for safety planning.
- Health: Light exposure affects circadian rhythms and vitamin D production.
Accuracy Considerations
While our calculator provides accurate theoretical times, several factors may affect actual observed times:
- Atmospheric refraction bends sunlight, making the sun appear higher than it actually is.
- Local terrain features like mountains or tall buildings can block the sun.
- Weather conditions like heavy cloud cover can make the sun appear later or disappear earlier.
- The sun's apparent diameter means sunrise occurs when the top is visible, not the center.