Elevation Angle

Source: Unstop

Elevation Angle

The elevation angle, also known as the altitude angle, is the angular height of the sun in the sky measured from the horizontal plane. It varies throughout the day and depends on the latitude of the location and the day of the year.

Calculation of Elevation Angle

The elevation angle at solar noon can be calculated using the formula: α = 90 + φ – δ. If the result is greater than 90°, it indicates that the sun is coming from the south in the northern hemisphere.

Latitude and Elevation Angle

At the Tropic of Cancer on the summer solstice, the sun is directly overhead with an elevation angle of 90°. In summer, at latitudes between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, the elevation angle at solar noon is greater than 90°, implying sunlight is coming from the north.

Zenith Angle

The zenith angle is the angle between the sun and the vertical. It is calculated as 90° minus the elevation angle.

Sunrise and Sunset

To calculate sunrise and sunset times, the elevation is set to zero. The equations for sunrise and sunset times involve the latitude (φ), declination angle (δ), and time correction (TC).

Equations for Sunrise and Sunset

For sunrise: Sunrise = 12 – (1/15) * cos^-1(-tanφ * tanδ) – TC/60.

For sunset: Sunset = 12 + (1/15) * cos^-1(-tanφ * tanδ) – TC/60.

Source: Unstop

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