Sunrise & Sunset Calculator
Find sunrise and sunset times for any location
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Understanding Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset times vary throughout the year based on your geographic location and the Earth's tilt. This calculator uses astronomical formulas to compute when the sun rises and sets for any location on Earth.
How Sunrise and Sunset Are Calculated
The calculation involves several astronomical factors including the solar declination (the angle between the sun and the equator), your latitude, and the equation of time. The results show the moment when the center of the sun crosses the horizon.
Factors Affecting Sunrise and Sunset
- Latitude: Higher latitudes experience more extreme variations in day length
- Season: Summer days are longer, winter days are shorter in each hemisphere
- Altitude: Higher elevations can see the sun slightly earlier/later
- Atmospheric refraction: Bends light so we see the sun slightly before it actually rises
Special Phenomena
Midnight Sun
In polar regions during summer, the sun may not set at all for days or weeks. This phenomenon is called the Midnight Sun and occurs above the Arctic Circle and below the Antarctic Circle.
Polar Night
The opposite of midnight sun, polar night occurs when the sun doesn't rise above the horizon during winter in polar regions.
Practical Applications
Knowing sunrise and sunset times is useful for photography (golden hour), outdoor activities, religious observances, and planning your day. Many religions use sunrise or sunset to mark the beginning or end of special days.