The sun position calculator computes solar azimuth, elevation, sunrise, sunset, solar noon, golden hour, and civil/nautical/astronomical twilight times for any location and date. Uses the NOAA simplified solar algorithm, accurate to within about 1 minute.
Location & Time
Sun Position Results
Map will appear after calculation
How to Use the Sun Position Calculator
The sun position calculator returns the sun's azimuth and elevation for any location, date, and time — plus sunrise, sunset, golden hour, and twilight times. Uses the NOAA simplified solar position algorithm.
Step 1: Enter Your Location
Enter the latitude and longitude in Decimal Degrees. New York City is 40.7128°N, -74.0060°W. Sydney is -33.8688°S, 151.2093°E. Click "Use My Location" to auto-fill from your browser's GPS.
Step 2: Set the Date and Time
The date and time inputs default to the current date and time. Change them to plan for a future shoot, event, or solar installation. Set the UTC offset to match your time zone.
Step 3: Click Calculate Sun Position
Results appear instantly: solar azimuth (compass direction, 0-360°), elevation (degrees above horizon), sunrise/sunset times, solar noon, day length, golden hour windows, and all three twilight phases.
Using Results for Photography
Golden hour is the photographer's best light. For a morning shoot in New York on June 21st, golden hour starts at sunrise (~5:25 AM EDT) and ends when the sun reaches 6° elevation (~6:10 AM). The azimuth at sunrise is about 58° (NE), so east-facing subjects are front-lit. The afternoon golden hour window starts around 7:30 PM and ends at sunset (~8:30 PM), with the sun at 298° (WNW). A west-facing landscape will be fully lit during this window.
Solar Installation Planning
Solar panels in the northern hemisphere should face south (azimuth ~180°) for maximum exposure. The optimal tilt angle equals the latitude (40° in New York) for year-round average, or latitude - 15° for summer optimization. Use the noon elevation to check that no shadows from trees or buildings will fall on the panels during peak hours.
FAQ
Is this sun position calculator free?
Yes, completely free. No signup, no account needed. Enter any coordinates and date to get instant sun position results.
Is my location data safe?
All solar calculations run locally in your browser. No coordinates or location data are sent to any server.
What is solar azimuth?
Solar azimuth is the compass direction of the sun measured in degrees clockwise from true north. At sunrise, the sun's azimuth is roughly east (90°). At solar noon it's due south (180°) in the northern hemisphere. At sunset it's roughly west (270°).
What is solar elevation angle?
Solar elevation (also called altitude or altitude angle) is the angle of the sun above the horizon, measured in degrees. At sunrise and sunset, the elevation is 0°. At solar noon in summer, it can reach 70-80° at mid-latitudes. Negative elevation means the sun is below the horizon (night or twilight).
What is golden hour in photography?
Golden hour is the period after sunrise and before sunset when sunlight is warm, soft, and directional — ideal for portrait and landscape photography. The sun is between 0° and 6° above the horizon during this time. The calculator shows golden hour start and end times for any location.
What is the difference between civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight?
Civil twilight: sun is 0-6° below the horizon. The sky is bright enough to see without artificial light. Nautical twilight: sun is 6-12° below. Sea horizon is still visible, used for celestial navigation. Astronomical twilight: sun is 12-18° below. The sky is dark enough for most astronomical observations. Astronomical night begins when sun is more than 18° below the horizon.
How accurate is the solar position calculation?
The calculator uses the NOAA simplified solar algorithm, accurate to within about 1 minute for most locations and dates. For precision astronomical work, professional-grade algorithms (like USNO MICROS) are needed. For photography planning, navigation, and solar installation, this accuracy is more than sufficient.