Sunset Sunrise separates astronomical calculation from live weather data. Solar events are computed from date and coordinates in the browser; location, time-zone and weather services are used only for the contextual information around those calculations.
Sunrise and Sunset Definition
Sunrise and sunset are based on a standardized apparent solar altitude near the horizon. The conventional calculation accounts for the apparent radius of the Sun and typical atmospheric refraction rather than waiting for the geometric center of the Sun to reach exactly 0° altitude.
Twilight Definitions
- Civil twilight: Sun from the horizon to approximately 6° below it.
- Nautical twilight: approximately 6° to 12° below the horizon.
- Astronomical twilight: approximately 12° to 18° below the horizon.
Solar Noon, Altitude and Azimuth
Solar noon is the daily meridian crossing at which the Sun reaches its highest altitude for the local solar day. Altitude measures height above or below the horizon. Azimuth measures compass direction around the horizon.
Golden Hour and Blue Hour
These photography terms do not have one universal scientific definition. To keep results consistent, the theme uses documented solar-altitude bands: golden hour from −4° to +6° and blue hour from −6° to −4°.
Time Zones and Daylight Saving
The astronomical event is converted into the selected location’s civil time using its IANA time zone. Daylight-saving rules therefore affect the clock display even though the underlying solar motion remains continuous.
Weather Is a Separate Data Source
Current weather comes from Open-Meteo forecast-model data and is cached briefly by the WordPress site. It does not feed back into the sunrise or sunset equation. That separation avoids implying that a cloudy day changes the astronomical event.
Why Observation Can Differ
Real horizons are not standardized. Mountains, trees, buildings, observer elevation, refraction, haze and temperature structure can all affect the visible moment. Solar times should therefore be treated as high-quality planning calculations, not certified navigation data.