How to Find the Sun's Angle above Horizon

Post on 12-Nov-2014

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This was for my Earth Science Online class. It explains how to calculate the angle of the Sun above the horizon at the solstices and equinoxes at your latitude. I think it's correct.

Transcript of How to Find the Sun's Angle above Horizon

Winter Solstice: Northern Hemisphere tilted away from the Sun (shortest day of the year in Northern Hemisphere). Diagram 1 What is the Sun’s angle above the horizon on Winter Solstice?

30

?

Tropic of Capricorn

Diagram 2 First take Your Latitude and add 23.5 (tilt of the Earth).

30 ?

23.5

Diagram 3 (Latitude + 23.5) is your angle from Tropic of Capricorn.

53.5

53.5

?

Diagram 4 Subtract that larger angle from 90 to get the angle of the Sun above the horizon.

53.5

90 – 53.5 = 36.5 angle of sun 53.5

To find the angle of the Sun above the Horizon on Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (shortest day of the year): 1. Take your latitude and add 23.5 degrees. (Latitude + 23.5) 2. Subtract that answer from 90. 90 – (Latitude + 23.5) To find the angle of the Sun above the Horizon on Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (longest day of the year) 1. Take your latitude and subtract 23.5 degrees. (Latitude – 23.5) 2. Subtract that answer from 90. 90 – (Latitude – 23.5) To find the angle of the Sun above the Horizon on the spring or autumn equinox in either Hemisphere (day and night are both 12 hours long) Take your latitude and subtract it from 90 degrees. (90 - Latitude) The latitude of the Kenai Peninsula is approximately 60 degrees North. What this the angle of the Sun above the horizon here? Winter Solstice: Summer Solstice: Equinox: