Sun angle

Illustration of how sunlight is spread over a greater area in the polar regions.

Sun angle is the angle of incidence at which sunlight strikes the Earth at a particular time and place. In most places the Sun rises in the morning, is highest at noon, and sets in the evening. In different seasons the Sun is farther north or south. The angle controls the amount of heat energy received at this place, so summer days are usually warmer than winter nights.

Seasonal change in the angle of sunlight, caused by the tilt of the Earth's axis, is the basic mechanism that results both in warmth of the weather and in length of the day.

Sun Angle Media

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  Seasonal differences in the Sun's declination, as viewed from the mid-northern city of New York, New York

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  Sun path on a polar graph for any location at the latitude of Rotterdam

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  This solargraph exposed over the course of a year shows the Sun's paths of diurnal motion, as seen from Budapest in 2014.

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  0° latitude (the Equator)

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  The day arc of the Sun, every hour, in the two solstices as seen on the celestial dome from 20° latitude. Also showing 'twilight suns' down to -18° altitude.

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  The day arc of the Sun, every hour, in the two solstices as seen on the celestial dome, from 50° latitude. Also showing 'twilight suns' down to -18° altitude. Note the 'grey nights' in summer.

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  The day arc of the Sun, every hour, in the two solstices as seen on the celestial dome, from 70° latitude. Also showing 'twilight suns' down to -18° altitude.

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  90° latitude (either pole)

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  Rotterdam, the Netherlands

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  Equator, Prime Meridian

Related pages

• Temperature