Deborah Chan
The time of sunset and, therefore, the onset of darkness varies depending on where you live. For northern latitudes, the earliest sunsets of the year occur around December 7. For example, in New York City, the sun sets at 4:15 pm. However, if you live in the southernmost US, your earliest sunsets will be in late November. The time of sunset also depends on how far east or west your location is relative to your time zone. For instance, driving an hour east will cause the sun to set 10 minutes earlier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date with the fewest minutes of daylight | 21 December in the Northern Hemisphere |
| Date with the earliest sunsets | Around 7 December in northern latitudes; late November in the southernmost US |
| Date with the latest sunrise | Early January |
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What You'll Learn
The time of sunset varies across the world
The time of sunset is influenced by the observer's latitude and longitude. For example, in North America, the earliest sunsets occur several weeks before the winter solstice, typically in early December. The exact timing can vary depending on the specific location, with the southernmost US experiencing earlier sunsets in late November. The northeastern US, along the upper coast of Maine, tends to have the earliest sunsets.
Additionally, the position of the Sun in the sky also affects the time of sunset. The Sun's position changes throughout the day due to the Earth's rotation, and its zenith, or highest point, varies with the time of year. This means that the Sun's path in the sky can be longer or shorter, impacting the time of sunset.
The Day and Night World Map is a useful resource for understanding the Sun's current position and the areas experiencing day and night at any given time. This map provides a visual representation of the Sun's movement and can help explain the variations in sunset times across the world.
In summary, the time of sunset is influenced by a combination of factors, including the Earth's rotation, orbit, and position relative to the Sun, as well as the observer's latitude and longitude. These factors collectively contribute to the variation in sunset times observed around the world.
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The time of sunset changes with the seasons
The time of sunset varies with the seasons due to the Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun. The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.44° to the plane of its orbit, known as the ecliptic, which causes the sun's rays to hit the Earth at different angles throughout the year, resulting in seasonal changes. This tilt also affects the direction of sunset, which only occurs due west at the spring and autumn equinoxes. For the rest of the year, the sunset direction deviates from this point, reaching its northerly and southerly extremes at the solstices.
The time of sunset is also influenced by the observer's latitude and longitude. The further north one lives, the earlier the sunset will occur during the winter months, with the earliest sunsets around December 7 for northern latitudes such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Denver. In contrast, the southernmost regions of the U.S. experience their earliest sunsets in late November. Additionally, moving east along the Earth's curve causes the sun to set earlier as your western horizon rises higher, blocking the sun sooner.
Daylight Saving Time also impacts sunset times. When Daylight Saving Time begins, sunset occurs one hour later than the day before. This practice is observed in several countries, including the U.S., Canada, and most of Europe, and is intended to save energy and provide longer summer evenings.
The changing angle of the sun's rays throughout the year affects not only sunset times but also the colour of the sky. When the sun is high in the sky, its light appears white, but when it is closer to the horizon, its light is filtered through more of the Earth's atmosphere, scattering the bluer colours and allowing the redder colours to penetrate further, resulting in colourful sunsets.
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The time of sunset is influenced by your proximity to the equator or poles
The time of sunset is influenced by a combination of factors, including the Earth's orbit, its rotation on its axis, and your proximity to the equator or the poles. The Earth orbits the Sun, and during this orbit, the Sun's declination changes from +23.4° at the summer solstice to -23.4° at the winter solstice. This means that the Sun's position in the sky and the length of daylight vary throughout the year, affecting the time of sunset.
The Earth's rotation on its axis from west to east, in the plane of the equator, creates the illusion of the Sun rising and setting each day. However, the Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.44° to the plane of its yearly orbit, resulting in the changing directions of sunset. This tilt causes the Sun to set in different directions throughout the year, except during the equinoxes when it sets due west.
Your proximity to the equator or the poles plays a significant role in determining the time of sunset. At higher latitudes, the dates of the earliest sunset and latest sunrise are closer to the solstice. In northern latitudes, the earliest sunsets typically occur around December 7, while in the southernmost US or comparable latitudes (about 25-26° N. latitude), the earliest sunsets happen in late November. The closer you are to the equator, the less variation you'll see in sunrise or sunset times over the year. At the equator, the Sun's daily track above the horizon is always exactly half a circle, resulting in minimal changes in sunset times.
Additionally, your east-west position relative to your time zone can also impact the time of sunset. For example, driving one hour east from a location in the US will result in the Sun setting 10 minutes earlier. This is because moving east along the Earth's curve causes your western horizon to rise, blocking the Sun sooner.
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The time of total darkness is influenced by the presence of twilight and moonlight
The time of total darkness is influenced by the presence of twilight, which is the time between day and night when there is light outside, but the sun is below the horizon. The Earth's atmosphere scatters the sun's rays to create the colours of twilight, and this varies depending on how far the sun is below the horizon.
Astronomers recognise three stages of twilight: civil, nautical, and astronomical. Civil twilight is the brightest form of twilight and occurs when the sun is less than 6 degrees below the horizon. There is enough natural sunlight during this period that artificial light may not be needed to carry out outdoor activities. In mid-latitudes, civil twilight can last, on average, half an hour. In the summer and winter, the sun arcs across the sky, cutting across the horizon at an angle, and this angle is more pronounced in summer, which is why civil twilight lasts the longest in summer.
Nautical twilight occurs when the centre of the sun is between 6 and 12 degrees below the horizon. This period is less bright than civil twilight, and artificial light is generally required for outdoor activities. The term "nautical twilight" comes from the time when sailors used the stars to navigate the seas. Near the poles, twilight times last much longer, and the summer sun does not get more than 12 degrees below the horizon.
Astronomical twilight occurs when the sun is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon. During astronomical twilight, the sky is dark enough to permit astronomical observation of point sources of light such as stars, except in regions with more intense skyglow due to light pollution, moonlight, auroras, and other sources of light.
The time of total darkness is also influenced by moonlight. Moonlight can illuminate the night sky and reduce the amount of darkness. The amount of moonlight present depends on the lunar phase, with a full moon appearing brighter and more illuminating than a crescent moon.
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The time of sunset is influenced by your time zone
The time of sunset is influenced by a variety of factors, one of which is your time zone. Time zones are typically divided into one-hour slots, and while the sun sets simultaneously along the meridian that defines a time zone, the line of sunset is not vertical and runs diagonally across the surface of the Earth due to the Earth's tilt. As a result, the time of sunset can vary for locations within the same time zone. For example, someone further west within the same time zone will experience sunset slightly later than someone further east. This variation can be as much as 10 minutes for locations that are an hour apart and 5 minutes for locations that are 35 miles apart.
The time of sunset is also influenced by the "clock effect," which is the difference between apparent solar time and mean solar time. The clock effect is the same for all latitudes and is influenced by the Earth's orbital movement. At higher latitudes, the earliest sunsets and latest sunrises occur closer to the solstice, while at the equator, the clock effect solely determines when sunrise and sunset occur, resulting in a total variation of about half an hour throughout the year.
Additionally, the degree of darkness at sunset can depend on how far north or south you live. For northern latitudes, the earliest sunsets typically occur around December 7 or 8, while in the southernmost U.S., the earliest sunsets happen in late November. Living in a location closer to the north or south pole will also impact the length of the day, with longer days near June 21 in the northern hemisphere and shorter days near December 21.
It's worth noting that the day with the shortest overall length of daylight is the winter solstice, around December 21, when the Sun appears to move along its most southern track in the sky. However, the earliest sunsets occur several weeks before the winter solstice, influenced by both the geometric effect and the clock effect.
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Frequently asked questions
In the Southern US, the sun sets earliest in late November.
Around 40 degrees latitude, such as New York City, the earliest sunsets occur around December 7.
In Maine, the earliest sunsets occur in early December.
The sun rises and sets differently in Northwest and Southeast Kentucky.
In Southern Alabama, it gets dark around 4:15 pm.
