Calculate what distance the sunset moves

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jtaravens
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the movement of the sunset in Maryland throughout the seasons, particularly for planting a shade tree. It is established that the sunset azimuth on June 21 is 300 degrees and on December 21 is 239 degrees, with both equinoxes (March 21 and September 21) aligning due west. The sunset moves northward from the equinoxes to mid-June, which is crucial for determining optimal tree placement to block sunlight in late summer.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of solar azimuth angles
  • Familiarity with seasonal changes in sunset positions
  • Knowledge of true north versus magnetic north
  • Experience with planetarium software, such as Starry Night
NEXT STEPS
  • Research solar azimuth calculations for different geographic locations
  • Explore the use of planetarium software for celestial observations
  • Learn about the impact of seasonal changes on landscaping and tree placement
  • Investigate the differences between true north and magnetic north in navigation
USEFUL FOR

Gardeners, landscape architects, and anyone interested in optimizing tree placement based on seasonal sunlight patterns.

jtaravens
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hi,
The reason I'm asking this is because I am planting a shade tree and I want the location to be correct for both early spring and late summer.

I am in Maryland (East Coast USA). The sun sets to the west.

If I compare the location of the sunset in April to the sunset in September am I correct in the sunset in April being more to the left and the sunset in September being more to the right?

Does anyone have any way to calculate what distance the sunset moves during the seasons? I want to plant my tree now but I also want the tree top to be useful in blocking the sun in late summer too.

Thoughts? Comments?

John
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi John! :smile:

Sunset about March 21st and September 21st should both be due West.

From there to mid-June, sunset gets further north (ie to the right). :wink:
 


thanks! I managed to figure out that it moves north but I'm glad you added the mid-june thing on top of the equinoxes. Now it makes sense!

John
 


I can help you out with a planetarium program (Starry Night):

Using DC as the location...
The sun sets at an azmuth of 300 degrees on June 21.
The sun sets at an azmuth of 239 degrees on December 21.

When you check your sight lines, make sure you are referencing true north, not magnetic: The variation for you is -11 degrees (true north is to the right of magnetic).
 

Similar threads

Direction (bearing) of sunrise/sunset
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
7K
Undergrad Calculation of daily solar insolation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Understanding NOAA and Naval Observatory's Solar Calculations
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
8K
High School Should I use True North or Magnetic North to align my sundial?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
High School What type of spectrum is a rainbow?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
6K
Calculating longitude and latitude given the duration of sunset
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
High School Prove the velocity of a moving object is absolute in one IRF?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
Graduate Sunrise and sunset correction for astronomical and geographical factors
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
High School Calculate distance between ends of a circle segment
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
High School Why certain stars seem to move very little in the sky
  • · Replies 56 ·
2
Replies
56
Views
6K