You are here:
Astronomy/Sunset
Advertisement
Question
Tom,
Hello... I am getting married October 11th and I am trying to set the time. The wedding is going to be outside in the afternoon so I want to make sure I don't plan it to late and it get dark on us. The wedding will be held in Troy, Alabama. Can you please help me? I just need to know a round about time that the sun will be setting.
Thanks!
Whittney
Hi Whittney,
Congratulations....also I notice the similarity to our names.
Ok, my Skyglobe program shows a sunset for Oct. 11, Birmingham at 6:15 pm CDST and for Mobile at 6:20 pm CDST so since Troy is roughly
halfway (latitude wise) between those two cities, we can plan on
a sunset around 6:18 pm Central Daylight Saving Time with a + or -
2 minute error. You'll also have around 30 minutes more of
relatively bright twilight, but by 7 pm it's going to be quite dark.
So if you want to work in daylight only conditions, better have it all completed and wrapped up by 6:30 pm CDST.
Hope all this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Tom Whiting
Expertise
Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years. Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions. No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.
Experience
Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.
Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.
Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).
Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions; Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).
Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.
Education/Credentials
BS Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.