You are here:

Astronomy/location of sunrise

Advertisement

Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 12/6/2004


Question
For the first day of winter,spring, summer, and
fall, how can I calculate the direction of sunrise, for a given latitude?  

Answer
Well, assuming that you are in the Northern Hemisphere, on the first day of Spring and Fall, the Sun rises East and sets west.

On the first day of Winter, it rises southeast and sets southwest.  On the first day of Summer, it rises northeast, and sets northwest.

Steve

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.