What Determines Sunrise and Sunset?
Sunrise and sunset times vary based on your latitude, the time of year, and your position within your time zone. These variations are caused by Earth's axial tilt and its orbit around the sun.
Earth's Axial Tilt
Earth is tilted at approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane. This tilt causes the seasons and creates dramatic variations in daylight hours at different latitudes.
Latitude Effects
Near the equator, sunrise and sunset times remain relatively constant year-round. At higher latitudes, the variation is extreme, with polar regions experiencing midnight sun in summer and polar night in winter.
Equation of Time
Due to Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt, solar noon (when the sun is highest) doesn't always occur at 12:00 PM clock time. This variation is called the equation of time.