How are sunrise and sunset times calculated?

Solar times are calculated based on the SunCalc astronomical algorithm using the observer's exact geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude), solar declination, and the equation of time.

Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset during which daylight is softer, redder, and warmer than when the sun is higher in the sky. It is prized by photographers for optimal lighting.

How is the Moon phase determined?

Moon phase is computed from the geometric relationship between the Sun, Earth, and Moon, determining the percentage of the lunar disk illuminated as seen from Earth.

Time

Astronomy & Solar Times

Calculate exact sunrise, sunset, golden hour, twilight, and moon phases for major cities worldwide.

Quick Answer & Summary

Astronomy calculations provide precise times for solar events (astronomical dawn, sunrise, solar noon, golden hour, sunset, dusk) and lunar phases (new moon, waxing/waning crescents, full moon) using exact geographic coordinates and celestial orbital mathematics.

Solar Zenith & Coordinates

cos(Zenith) = sin(Latitude)·sin(Declination) + cos(Latitude)·cos(Declination)·cos(HourAngle)

Uses standard SunCalc astronomical models to compute solar transit and horizon crossing angles.

City

Date

New York, United States|40.7128°, -74.0060°

Sun

Dawn05:55

Sunrise06:23

Solar Noon12:57

Sunset19:32

Dusk20:00

Day length

13h 8m

Moon

🌖

Waning Gibbous

88% illuminated

Illumination88%

Moonrise

20:27

Moonset

10:02

Phase: 61% of cycle

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Updated: August 2026

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Documentation & Guide

How to Use Astronomy & Solar Times

Choose City

Select your target city from the global location list.

Select Observation Date

Pick today's date or any historical/future date to calculate celestial events.

View Solar & Lunar Calculations

Inspect dawn, sunrise, solar noon, golden hour, sunset, dusk, and moon illumination percentages.

Pro Tips

Select any date to plan photography shoots during golden hour

Works completely offline with client-side orbital calculations

Practical Examples & Conversions

Input

City: New York, US

Output

Calculates exact local solar times & moon phase

Frequently Asked Questions (PAA)

Related Tools & Converters

Moon Phases

Detailed lunar calendar & full moon dates

World Clock

Live international clocks

Time Zone Converter

Convert times across cities

Calendar & Holidays

Monthly calendar with global holidays

Authoritative Standards & Citations

Calculations and algorithms on this page are implemented and verified in strict accordance with the following official technical specifications:

International Organization for Standardization

ISO 8601: Date and Time Formats

Internationally accepted standard for representing dates and times.

Internet Assigned Numbers Authority

IANA Time Zone Database (TZDB)

Authoritative historical and current daylight saving time (DST) database.