How can Google Sketchup simulate Sun and Earth movement for seasonal changes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simulation of the Sun and Earth's movement, particularly focusing on how these simulations can represent the duration of day and night across different locations on Earth during various seasons. The scope includes software tools and applications that can model these celestial movements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about existing simulations that can illustrate the Sun and Earth's circulation, specifically regarding day and night durations during different seasons.
  • One participant suggests using websites that provide sunrise and sunset times for various locations, as well as astronomical software like Stellarium for visualizing celestial movements.
  • Another participant mentions Celestia, a software that allows users to explore the solar system and beyond, highlighting its seamless movement and extensive catalog of celestial objects.
  • A participant confirms that Google Sketchup can model the Sun's movement based on geographic position, time, and season, which could be useful for practical applications like assessing shadows on solar panels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the availability of various software tools for simulating the Sun and Earth's movements, but there is no consensus on a single best solution or method for achieving this simulation.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the varying capabilities of different software tools and the specific requirements of users regarding the simulation of celestial movements.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in astronomy, architecture, environmental science, or anyone looking to understand the implications of solar movement on design and energy efficiency.

thedy
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Hi,does exist any simulation of Sun and Earth circulation with data of lasting of day and night in different places on Earth during seasons?
Thanks a lot
 
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thedy said:
Hi,does exist any simulation of Sun and Earth circulation with data of lasting of day and night in different places on Earth during seasons?
Thanks a lot

I'm not sure what you are asking for. There are many web sites, like this one, that give sunrise and set times for different locations on Earth. Also astronomical software, like Stellarium, which is free open source software, will show the motions of the heavenly bodies, including the Sun, from anywhere on Earth.
 
You can also use celestia: http://www.shatters.net/celestia/
Unlike most planetarium software, Celestia doesn't confine you to the surface of the Earth. You can travel throughout the solar system, to any of over 100,000 stars, or even beyond the galaxy.

All movement in Celestia is seamless; the exponential zoom feature let's you explore space across a huge range of scales, from galaxy clusters down to spacecraft only a few meters across. A 'point-and-goto' interface makes it simple to navigate through the universe to the object you want to visit.
Celestia is expandable. Celestia comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft . If that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy to install add-ons with more objects.
 
Thanks gentlemen.It is what I was looking for...:)
 
thedy said:
Hi,does exist any simulation of Sun and Earth circulation with data of lasting of day and night in different places on Earth during seasons?
Thanks a lot

If you are wanting to know the time of the local sunrise and sunset, there is this website:

http://www.sunrisesunset.com/
 
If it's any help Google Sketchup can model the movement of the sun based on position, time and season etc. You can use it to work out if your house or a tree will throw a shadow onto your solar panels.
 

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