The Sun’s Path
Summer Solstice (approximately
June 20-21)
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North Pole: The North Pole (90
degrees north latitude) receives 24
hours of daylight, as it has been
daylight at the North Pole for the last
three months
Arctic Circle: It is light 24 hours a day
north of the Arctic Circle
Note: because of the 23.5 degree axial
tilt…
@ the Tropic of Cancer: On the June
Solstice the sun is directly overhead
the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees
North ) at noon.
YET….
@Equator: At the equator (zero
degrees latitude), the day is always 12
hours long. At the equator, sun rises
daily at 6 a.m. local time and sets at 6
p.m. local time. The sun at noon at the
equator is 23.5 degrees off the zenith.
Winter Solstice
(approximately Dec.
20/21)
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•
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•
North Pole: At the North Pole, it has
been dark of three months (since the
September Equinox). It remains dark
for another three (until the March
Equinox).
Arctic Circle: All areas north of the
Arctic Circle are dark on the June
Solstice.
Note: because of the 23.5 degree axial
tilt…
@Tropic of Capricorn: The sun is
directly overhead the Tropic of
Capricorn on the December Solstice.
(23.5 degrees S)
@Equator: The sun is 23.5 degrees
from zenith at noon.
YET….
@Equator: The sun is 23.5 degrees
from zenith at noon.
Equinoxes: March 21/22,
Sept. 22/23
There are 12 hours of
daylight and 12 hours of
darkness at all points on the
earth’s surface on the two
equinoxes.
Sunrise is at 6 a.m. and
sunset is at 6 p.m. local
(solar) time for most points
on the earth’s surface.
Everywhere on the Earth will
have 12 hours of day and
night, but because of your
latitude, the ALTITUDE OF
THE Sun’s Path will vary
ONLY AT EQUATOR WILL ON
EQUINOX DAY WILL THE SUN
RISE DUE EAST AND SET DUE
WEST.