what do you think causes the changes in sunrise and sunset times over the course of the year?

The answer lies in the realm of astronomy and planetary science. The biggest reason for the seasons is that Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. Think of the orbital plane of the solar system as a flat plate.

Full Answer

What causes the phenomena of Sunrise&Sunset&changing of seasons?

What causes the phenomena of sunrise , sunset & changing of seasons?Is it due to the motion of the earth ? If it is true , why don 't we directly perceive the motion of the earth? See what the community says and unlock a badge. Yep, the seasons, sunrise and sunset all are caused due to moron of earth.

Why do some parts of the Earth have earlier sunsets?

The combination of all these things means that at every time of year, some parts of the Earth get earlier sunrises and later sunsets than other parts. How much more daylight they see depends on their latitude. In June, the North Pole is at its closest to the Sun, and it’s pointing inwards, towards the Sun at an angle.

Why is sunrise and sunset later in the southern hemisphere?

That’s why the whole southern hemisphere reaches the sunlight later and leaves it earlier as the Earth spins in space. The angle of the Earth’s axis means that sunrise is later in the southern hemisphere in June, and sunset’s earlier. The shortest day of the year is called the winter solstice.

How does altitude affect sunset and sunrise times?

The variation with altitude is approximately linear, and so we conclude that sunset is later by 1 minute for every 1.5 kilometres in altitude, and that sunrise is earlier by the same amount.

What causes sunrise changes?

The combination of Earth's elliptical orbit and the tilt of its axis results in the Sun taking different paths across the sky at slightly different speeds each day. This gives us different sunrise and sunset times each day.

What is responsible for the differences in the path of the sun and in sunrise and sunset times for different latitudes throughout the year?

What is responsible for the differences in the path of the Sun and in sunrise and sunset times for different latitudes throughout the year? The differences in the path of the Sun and in sunrise and sunset times are due to the Earth's orbit on its axis and the Earth's curvature.

How does sunset change throughout the year?

We usually speak of the sun setting in the west, but technically it only sets due west at the spring and autumn equinoxes. For the rest of the year, the direction of sunset pivots about this westerly point, moving northerly in winter, and towards the south in summer.

How do you think latitude affects sunrise and sunset times?

As latitude increases, sunrises occur later. The pattern of the chart shows that as one goes north, the delay become greater and greater. For example, the difference between 30¡ and 40¡ is about 7¡ longitude. The difference between 40¡ and 50¡ is about 9¡ longitude.

What affects sunrise and sunset times?

Variables That Affect Sunrise and Sunset Times Where You Live. That's because sunrise and sunset times depend on a number of variables, including longitude, latitude, altitude, and location in relationship to your specific Time Zone.

How does sunrise and sunset happen?

As the Earth rotates toward the east, it looks like the sun is moving west. As the Earth rotates, different locations on Earth pass through the sun's light. The animation shows how that looks hour by hour (for 4 hours). As your town turns toward the sun and begins to enter its light, the sun seems to rise in the east.

Does sunrise and sunset change each year?

A quick glance at an astronomical almanac or a calendar showing sunrise and sunset times reveals that these do not change evenly. While the Sun rises only a little earlier every day at the beginning of the year, it sets noticeably later every evening.

Does sunset and sunrise change every year?

Seasonal variations in where the Sun rises and sets and changes in the length of daylight hours throughout the year are caused by the constant tilt and orientation of the Earth's axis in relation to the plane of its orbit around the Sun (23.5 degrees from the vertical, the North Pole pointing towards the star Polaris ...

Which causes the change in the length of daytime and nighttime at different times of the year?

Variations in the length of day and night time from season to season on the earth's surface is due to the axial tilt of earth's rotation axis with respect to its orbital axis.

Is there any difference in the time of sunrise during summer and winter?

Yes, there is a difference in the time of sunrise during summer and winter as the days get longer in summer and shorter in winter.

What is sunrise and sunset in geography?

Answer. (i) The sunrise and sunset occur at different times at different places because the earth rotates from west to east and therefore, people in the east can see the sun earlier than those in the west. (ii) The earth is not a perfect sphere because the diameter of th earth varies at the equator and at the poles.

Does altitude affect sunrise and sunset?

The effect of increasing altitude is the same at practically all latitudes on Earth: It makes the hours of daylight longer, and it makes the sun rise earlier and set later than it would if that location were at sea level. The amount of increase is comparatively slight, and the variation with altitude is nearly linear.

When does sunrise happen?

Sunrise won’t happen until September. That’s why the whole southern hemisphere reaches the sunlight later and leaves it earlier as the Earth spins in space. The angle of the Earth’s axis means that sunrise is later in the southern hemisphere in June, and sunset’s earlier. The shortest day of the year is called the winter solstice.

How does latitude affect sunrise?

If you live between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, the amount of daylight you get each day doesn’t vary much. If you live near the equator, it’s pretty much thirteen-hour days and eleven-hour nights year round, with sunrise around 7:30 am and sunset around 8:30 pm.

What happens when you go farther north?

If you go farther north, you’ll get more and more days that are round the clock sunlight in summer.

Why do days get longer in summer?

That’s because latitude affects the time of sunset and sunrise. What’s going on? Earth is tilted on its axis, by about 23 degrees or so.

What does it mean when the Earth is in orbit?

The orbit means that the Earth’s axis isn’t always going to be pointed the same way relative to the Sun. Sometimes the daylight side of the northern hemisphere is closer to the Sun, and sometimes the daylight side of the southern hemisphere is closer to the Sun. The combination of all these things means that at every time of year, ...

How long does it take for the Earth to complete its orbit?

Earth’s also going around the Sun in its orbit. It takes about one year to make a complete orbit. The orbit means that the Earth’s axis isn’t always going to be pointed the same way relative to the Sun.

How does winter feel when you get closer to the equator?

As you get closer to the equator, the winter days get longer and longer. Actually, it feels less and less like winter. By the time you reach the equator, the days are just about the same length as the nights. It varies a bit with the seasons, but not so you’d notice unless you’re paying really close attention.

How do sunrise and sunset times change with altitude? (Intermediate)

Hi, I am a professional airline pilot and an amateur astronomer and would appreciate it if could provide me with a formula or method in how to calculate the affect of altitude on sun set/rise at different latitudes and if there is any way to predict time of sun set/rise while flying.

About the Author

Kristine studies the dynamics of galaxies and what they can teach us about dark matter in the universe. She got her Ph.D from Cornell in August 2005, was a Jansky post-doctoral fellow at Rutgers University from 2005-2008, and is now a faculty member at the Royal Military College of Canada and at Queen's University.