Friday, June 17, 2005
West is where the Sun sets* [* but only very occasionally]
People* [* see yesterday's comments box] often say that the Sun sets in the west (and rises in the east). But it doesn't. The Sun only sets precisely due west on the day of the spring or autumn equinox* [* even if you live on the equator]. Tonight (with the summer solstice fast approaching) the Sun will set in the northwest instead* [* as seen from London], having been precisely due west at around twenty past five this afternoon. How do I know? From this rather brilliant website. It features a Solar Location Diagram for every week of the year, showing exactly how high and in what direction the Sun appears in the sky* [* as seen from London]. The 'flapping' line at the top of the main page (showing the Sun's daily path throughout the year) is one of the most impressive 'summary graphics' I've ever seen. It's a fascinating* site [* and dead useful to anybody who takes photos and wants to get 'the light' right]. I've used the information provided to compile the table below, showing sunset data from winter solstice to winter solstice. See, the Sun doesn't* [* usually] set in the west.
| Sunset information (London) |
| Date | Sunset | Bearing* | Compass |
| Dec 21 | 3:53pm GMT | 231° | SW |
| Jan 21 | 4:30pm GMT | 238° | SW by W |
| Feb 21 | 5:26pm GMT | 254° | WSW |
| Mar 21 | 6:15pm GMT | 270° | W |
| Apr 21 | 8:05pm BST | 290° | WNW |
| May 21 | 8:54pm BST | 305° | NW by W |
| Jun 21 | 9:21pm BST | 311° | NW |
| Jul 21 | 9:04pm BST | 305° | NW by W |
| Aug 21 | 8:10pm BST | 290° | WNW |
| Sep 21 | 7:00pm BST | 271° | W |
| Oct 21 | 5:54pm BST | 253° | WSW |
| Nov 21 | 4:03pm GMT | 237° | SW by W |
| Dec 21 | 3:53pm GMT | 231° | SW |
[* from true north, at the horizon]
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