Each day, the sun paints a different picture in the sky, influencing our direction significantly. By understanding its varying paths, you can better predict its rise and set points, enhancing your planning and experiences.
The sun rises and sets because the earth rotates to the east. The earth’s tilt on its axis affects the sun’s position, making it appear more northerly or southerly at different times.
Seasonal changes in sunrising and sunsetting
Sun positions are particularly noticeable at the north and south poles, where the sun may not rise for months during winter. In temperate latitudes, shifts in sunrise and sunset positions throughout the year can be significant.
Northern Hemisphere
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, your northern pole points toward the sun during the summer solstice. The sun rises in the northeast and sets in the northwest. In winter, the northern pole points away from the sun, making it rise southeast and set southwest.
Southern Hemisphere
If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, your poles shift with the seasons. For example, in Australia during summer, the northern pole points toward the sun, making it rise in the northeast and set in the northwest. In winter, the southern pole points away from the sun, causing it to rise in the southeast and set in the southwest.
Is there any country where they don’t get sunsets?
Countries like Norway and Finland, near the polar circle, don’t have sunrises or sunsets at times. The sun stays in the sky for 24 hours for around 2 months. Others experience this, but only for a few weeks.