Calculating Sun Angles

Today you will calculate the angle of the sun at NOON (12:00) for different locations on Earth.

Calculating Sun Angles

You will be working with complementary angles. Remember, complementary angles always add up to 90o.

Calculating Sun Angles

High sun angles (45o to 90o) mean more intense sunlight.

Calculating Sun Angles

High sun angles (45o to 90o) mean more intense sunlight.
80o

Calculating Sun Angles

High sun angles (45o to 90o) mean more intense sunlight.
80o

Low sun angles (0o to 45o) mean less intense sunlight.

Calculating Sun Angles

High sun angles (45o to 90o) mean more intense sunlight.
80o

Low sun angles (0o to 45o) mean less intense sunlight.

30o

Latitude of 90o Sun Angle Changes

Over the year, the latitude where the suns rays form a 90o angle, at noon, with the surface, moves slowly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Equinox
On March 22 and on September 22, the suns rays form a 90o angle at noon at the equator.
Path of incoming suns rays

0o latitude

Equinox
On March 22 and on September 22, the suns rays form a 90o angle at noon at the equator.
Vertical Pole standing at the equator will not cast a shadow at noon! 0o latitude Path of incoming suns rays

Equinox
At an Equinox, for every degree of latitude you move away from the equator, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

Equinox
At an Equinox, for every degree of latitude you move away from the equator, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

1o latitude

Equinox
At an Equinox, for every degree of latitude you move away from the equator, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

89o

1o latitude

Equinox
At an Equinox, for every degree of latitude you move away from the equator, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

89o

1o latitude

2o latitude

Equinox
At an Equinox, for every degree of latitude you move away from the equator, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

89o

88o

1o latitude

2o latitude

Solstices

Solstices
June 22

Solstices
June 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o N

Solstices
June 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o N This latitude is called the Tropic of Cancer.

Solstices
June 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o N This latitude is called the Tropic of Cancer. This is the summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere.

Solstices
June 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o N This latitude is called the Tropic of Cancer. This is the summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere. This is the winter solstice for the Southern Hemisphere.

Solstices
December 22

Solstices
December 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o S

Solstices
December 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o S This latitude is called the Tropic of Capricorn

Solstices
December 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o S This latitude is called the Tropic of Capricorn This is winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere.

Solstices
December 22
The sun forms a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o S This latitude is called the Tropic of Capricorn This is winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere. This is the summer solstice for the Southern Hemisphere.

Solstices
On the summer solstice the suns rays form a 90o angle at noon at 23.5o N
Vertical Pole standing at 23.5o will not cast a shadow at noon! Path of incoming suns rays

23.5o N

Solstices
On the summer solstice, for every degree of latitude you move away from 23.5o, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

24.5o N (23.5 +1)

Solstices
On the summer solstice, for every degree of latitude you move away from 23.5o, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

89o

24.5o N (23.5 +1)

Solstices
On the summer solstice, for every degree of latitude you move away from 23.5o, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

89o

24.5o N (23.5 +1)

25.5o N (23.5 +2)

Solstices
On the summer solstice, for every degree of latitude you move away from 23.5o, the sun angle at noon decreases by 1 degree.

89o

88o

24.5o N (23.5 +1)

25.5o N (23.5 +2)

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle Equation

You are about to find the angle of the sun at noon at different latitudes.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

You are about to find the angle of the sun at noon at different latitudes.
To do this, you will use the following formula:

Noon Sun Angle Equation

You are about to find the angle of the sun at noon at different latitudes.
To do this, you will use the following formula:

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle
You need to subtract from 90 because the angles you are working with are complementary.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle
The zenith angle is the distance between the subsolar point and the latitude you are at.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle
The zenith angle is the distance between the subsolar point and the latitude you are at.
The subsolar point is the latitude where the suns rays form a 90o angle at noon.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle
The zenith angle is the distance between the subsolar point and the latitude you are at.
The subsolar point is the latitude where the suns rays form a 90o angle at noon.

In other words: Noon Sun Angle =

90 - (latitude your are at latitude where sun is 90o at noon)

Noon Sun Angle Equation

To calculate the zenith angle between the subsolar point and the latitude you are at requires a bit of thought.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in the same hemisphere, subtract.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in the same hemisphere, subtract.
Example: Subsolar Point = 0o

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in the same hemisphere, subtract.
Example: Subsolar Point = 0o You are at 45oN.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in the same hemisphere, subtract.
Example: Subsolar Point = 0o You are at 45oN. Zenith Angle = (45 - 0) =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in the same hemisphere, subtract.
Example: Subsolar Point = 0o You are at 45oN. Zenith Angle = (45 - 0) = 45

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in different hemispheres, add.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in different hemispheres, add.
Example: Subsolar Point = 23.5o S

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in different hemispheres, add.
Example: Subsolar Point = 23.5o S You are at 45oN.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in different hemispheres, add.
Example: Subsolar Point = 23.5o S You are at 45oN. Zenith Angle = (45 + 23.5) =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in different hemispheres, add.
Example: Subsolar Point = 23.5o S You are at 45oN. Zenith Angle = (45 + 23.5) = 68.5

Noon Sun Angle Equation

If the subsolar point and your latitude are in the same hemisphere, subtract. If the subsolar point and your latitude are in different hemispheres, add.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Lets do some problems together!

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the June 22nd solstice (summer).

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the June 22nd solstice (summer). The subsolar point is 23.5o N

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the June 22nd solstice (summer). The subsolar point is 23.5o N You are visiting a friend in Brussels, Belgium

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the June 22nd solstice (summer). The subsolar point is 23.5o N You are visiting a friend in Brussels, Belgium

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the June 22nd solstice (summer). The subsolar point is 23.5o N You are visiting a friend in Brussels, Belgium

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the June 22nd solstice (summer). The subsolar point is 23.5o N You are visiting a friend in Brussels, Belgium Your latitude is 50o N

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the June 22nd solstice (summer). The subsolar point is 23.5o N You are visiting a friend in Brussels, Belgium Your latitude is 50o N What is the angle of the sun at noon?

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle
Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract!

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle
Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 50 - 23.5 =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 50 - 23.5 = 26.5

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 50 - 23.5 = 26.5 Noon Sun Angle = 90 - 26.5 =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 50 - 23.5 = 26.5
Noon Sun Angle = 90 - 26.5 = 63.5o

Noon Sun Angle Equation

A noon sun angle of 63.5o is considered a high angle. This answer makes sense because it is summer time where you are.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Good Job!!!

Lets try another one!

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the March 22nd.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the March 22nd. It is the Spring Equinox.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the March 22nd. It is the Spring Equinox. The subsolar point is 0o

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the March 22nd. It is the Spring Equinox. The subsolar point is 0o You are going to go skiing in New Zealand.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the March 22nd. It is the Spring Equinox. The subsolar point is 0o You are going to go skiing in New Zealand.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the March 22nd. It is the Spring Equinox. The subsolar point is 0o You are going to go skiing in New Zealand. Your latitude is 43o S

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the March 22nd. It is the Spring Equinox. The subsolar point is 0o You are going to go skiing in New Zealand. Your latitude is 43o S What is the angle of the sun at noon?

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract!

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 43 - 0 =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 43 - 0 = 43

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Zenith Angle

Zenith Angle: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 43 - 0 = 43
Noon Sun Angle = 90 - 43 =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Arc Distance

Arc Distance: Subsolar point & your location are in the same hemisphere, subtract! 43 - 0 = 43
Noon Sun Angle = 90 - 43 = 47o

Noon Sun Angle Equation

A noon sun angle of is 47o a moderate angle. This answer makes sense because it is spring time where you are. The snow may be melting, but you can probably still get in a few runs!

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Excellent work!

Lets try one last problem together.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd. It is the Winter Solstice.

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd. It is the Winter Solstice. The subsolar point is 23.5o S

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd. It is the Winter Solstice. The subsolar point is 23.5o S You just won a trip to Oulu, Finland

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd. It is the Winter Solstice. The subsolar point is 23.5o S You just won a trip to Oulu, Finland

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd. It is the Winter Solstice. The subsolar point is 23.5o S You just won a trip to Oulu, Finland

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd. It is the Winter Solstice. The subsolar point is 23.5o S You just won a trip to Oulu, Finland Your latitude is 64o N

Noon Sun Angle Equation

It is the December 22nd. It is the Winter Solstice. The subsolar point is 23.5o S You just won a trip to Oulu, Finland Your latitude is 64o N What is the angle of the sun at noon?

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Arc Distance

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Arc Distance

Arc Distance: Subsolar point & your location are in different hemispheres, add!

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Arc Distance

Arc Distance: Subsolar point & your location are in different hemispheres, add! 64 + 23.5 =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Arc Distance

Arc Distance: Subsolar point & your location are in different hemispheres, add! 64 + 23.5 = 87.5

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Arc Distance

Arc Distance: Subsolar point & your location are in different hemispheres, add! 64 + 23.5 = 87.5
Noon Sun Angle = 90 - 87.5 =

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Noon Sun Angle = 90 - Arc Distance

Arc Distance: Subsolar point & your location are in different hemispheres, add! 64 + 23.5 = 87.5
Noon Sun Angle = 90 - 87.5 = 2.5o

Noon Sun Angle Equation

A noon sun angle of is 2.5o a VERY low angle. This answer makes sense because it is wintertime where you are. You will need to take a lot of warm clothes for this trip!

Noon Sun Angle Equation

Congratulations!

You get to try some of these problems on your own. All the hints youve been shown are on your worksheet!
Good Luck