Calculate sunrise and sunset times for any location on Earth
Sunrise and sunset mark the daily transition between day and night, occurring when the upper edge of the sun appears above or disappears below the horizon. These events are not instantaneous but occur over a period of several minutes, creating the beautiful twilight periods that photographers and nature enthusiasts cherish.
The exact timing of sunrise and sunset depends on three primary factors: latitude (how far north or south you are), longitude (your east-west position within a time zone), and date (position in Earth's yearly orbit). Due to Earth's 23.5° axial tilt, these times vary dramatically throughout the year, creating the seasons.
Atmospheric refraction causes sunlight to bend as it passes through Earth's atmosphere, making the sun visible even when it's technically below the geometric horizon. This phenomenon extends both sunrise and sunset by approximately 2-3 minutes, and is why calculations include a correction factor of -0.833°.
Location Timezone: Results use your browser's timezone, NOT the location's local time zone. For accurate results, ensure your computer timezone matches your intended location.
Algorithm Accuracy: Uses simplified solar position model, typically accurate to ±2–3 minutes. For official civil twilight definitions or high-precision applications, consult regional meteorological authorities.
Step 1: Enter your geographic coordinates. Latitude is positive for Northern Hemisphere and negative for Southern. Longitude is positive for East and negative for West. You can find coordinates using GPS or online mapping tools.
Step 2: Select the date for which you want to calculate sunrise and sunset. The calculator accounts for Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt to provide accurate results for any day of the year.
Step 3: Review the calculated times and day length. Times are displayed in your local time zone. Note that for locations within the Arctic or Antarctic circles, you may see "Never" (polar night) or "Always" (midnight sun) during extreme seasons.
A photographer in Fairbanks, Alaska wants to plan outdoor shoots during the summer solstice (June 21, 2026) when the famous "midnight sun" phenomenon occurs.
During the summer solstice in Fairbanks, the sun remains above the horizon for nearly 22 hours. The brief "night" period experiences civil twilight, meaning the sky never becomes truly dark. This allows the photographer to capture unique lighting conditions throughout the entire day and golden hour light that lasts for hours.
In regions within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles (above 66.5° latitude), the sun stays above the horizon for 24 continuous hours during summer solstice. This phenomenon is called the midnight sun and occurs because Earth's axial tilt points the pole toward the sun.
Sunrise times change throughout the year due to Earth's 23.5° axial tilt and elliptical orbit around the sun. This causes solar declination to vary from -23.45° to +23.45°, shifting sunrise earlier or later as the seasons progress.
Yes. Higher elevations experience earlier sunrises and later sunsets because observers can see farther over Earth's curved surface. A mountain peak can see the sun several minutes before sea level, with the difference increasing with elevation.
The golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky (typically 0-6° elevation), producing soft, warm, diffused light that photographers prize for portraits, landscapes, and architectural photography.
Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon. During this period, there's enough natural light for most outdoor activities without artificial lighting. It begins at sunrise and ends when the sun reaches -6° elevation.
This calculator uses a simplified algorithm accurate to within 2-3 minutes for most locations. Actual times may vary slightly due to local topography, atmospheric conditions, and elevation. For precision astronomy, use specialized ephemeris software.
Atmospheric refraction is the bending of light as it passes through Earth's atmosphere. This makes the sun appear about 0.6° higher than its geometric position, causing it to be visible for 2-3 extra minutes during sunrise and sunset.
The equinoxes (around March 20 and September 22) occur when the sun crosses the celestial equator. On these dates, day and night are approximately equal in length worldwide, though atmospheric refraction means daytime is slightly longer.
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