Sunrise & Sunset Calculator
About Sunrise & Sunset Calculator
What Is a Sunrise and Sunset Calculator?
A sunrise and sunset calculator determines the exact times when the sun rises above and sets below the horizon for a specific location and date. It also calculates the duration of daylight, golden hour times for photography, and civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight phases. This information is valuable for photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, solar panel installers, agricultural planners, and anyone who needs to plan around natural daylight.
How It Works
The calculator uses astronomical formulas based on the solar declination angle and the observer's latitude and longitude. It computes the hour angle at which the sun crosses the horizon (when the solar elevation equals -0.833 degrees, accounting for atmospheric refraction). The calculation varies throughout the year due to Earth's axial tilt and elliptical orbit.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your location (latitude and longitude or city name) and select a date. Click Calculate to see sunrise, sunset, day length, golden hour times, and twilight phases. You can also use your device's location detection for automatic coordinates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the golden hour?
The golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, producing warm, soft, golden light. Photographers prize this time for its flattering, dramatic quality.
What are the types of twilight?
Civil twilight (sun 0-6 degrees below horizon): enough light for outdoor activities. Nautical twilight (6-12 degrees): horizon visible at sea. Astronomical twilight (12-18 degrees): sky dark enough for astronomy.
Why do sunrise and sunset times change?
Earth's 23.5 degree axial tilt causes the sun's path across the sky to change throughout the year, making days longer in summer and shorter in winter in each hemisphere.
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