Astronomy/Sunsets/Sunrise

Advertisement

Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 6/25/2006


Question
I'm in Ohio and was looking at the times the sunrises and sets, then I looked at the times in FLorida (The sunshine state) and noticed that nowadays, WE in Ohio have more sunshine? How is that?  

Answer
Leanne:

It does seem strange doesn't it, but that's the way it works.

For example, the sun will set in Miami at 8:13 tonight (Sunday), but in Cleveland, it will set at 9:05.

It is tricky to explain mathematically, so I will tell you to go to this web site:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/tracking/

You will see a NASA tracking chart, showing the location of the International Space Station, and also the areas of the Earth that are in Sunlight, and the areas that are in darkness (shaded).  It is now easy to see that Florida will be in darkness during this time of the year, sooner than in Ohio.

Steve

www.look-to-the-skies.com

Astronomy

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.