AfterhueWhich direction does the sun set?
The sun sets due west only on the equinoxes. In the Northern Hemisphere it sets northwest in spring and summer and southwest in autumn and winter, and the seasons swap in the Southern Hemisphere. The farther you are from the equator, the bigger the shift between June and December.
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Does the sun always set in the west?
No. It sets due west only at the spring and autumn equinoxes. Wikipedia states that the equinox sun sets due west, that in the Northern Hemisphere it sets to the northwest in spring and summer and to the southwest in autumn and winter, and that the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere (Wikipedia: Sunset).
The cause is Earth's axial tilt. As the year turns, the point on the horizon where the sun disappears slides back and forth.
How far does the sunset point move?
More than most people expect. On the longest day at 40 degrees north the sun sets about 31 degrees north of west. On the shortest day it sets about 31 degrees south of west. That is a total swing of over 60 degrees across the horizon. At 60 degrees north the swing is more than 100 degrees.
The table shows approximate compass bearings at the solstices, measured clockwise from north. The numbers are my own calculation from standard solar geometry for a flat horizon, rounded to the nearest degree.
| Latitude (north) | June solstice | December solstice | Total swing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 293 | 247 | 46 |
| 30 | 297 | 243 | 54 |
| 40 | 301 | 239 | 62 |
| 50 | 308 | 232 | 76 |
| 60 | 323 | 217 | 106 |
What if I live in the Southern Hemisphere?
The pattern flips. For the same southern latitude, the sun sets south of west in the June winter and north of west in the December summer. The size of the swing depends on how far you are from the equator, just as in the north.
In the tropics the sun still moves, but the shift is smaller and the sun can set north of west in one part of the year and south in another.
How do I find the exact direction for tonight?
Use an astronomical tool that gives sunset azimuth for your place and date. The NOAA solar calculator from the Global Monitoring Laboratory does this. On an iPhone, the built-in Compass app shows your heading, which lets you match a bearing to a spot on the horizon. Calibrate it first by following the on-screen instructions.
- Look up the sunset bearing for today.
- Open the Compass app and turn until the number matches.
- Note the landmark nearest that bearing.
- Walk to a spot where that landmark and the horizon are clear.
How does Afterhue handle direction?
Afterhue does the compass work for the share card. A Sky Call names the direction of the sunset for your place and date, so in some seasons it reads Look northwest instead of Look west. The score also reads the forecast at a second point about 150 km toward the setting sun, so the direction matters for the weather you are rated on as well.
Why does direction matter for choosing a spot?
Because the view you scouted in June might not work in December. A hill that frames the sun in summer can be pointing the wrong way in winter. A lake that sits perfectly beneath the sunset in spring may be well to the side of it in autumn. Wikipedia notes that polar regions behave differently, and some places never see a full sunset on certain days (Wikipedia: Sunset).
What does this mean for planning?
Plan the viewpoint by season. For each of your favorite spots, write down the months when the sun lines up with the best part of the view. Many photographers keep a small list of dates, like the days when the sun sets between two buildings or behind a lighthouse. Saved places in Afterhue store the city, which helps you compare sunset times, but they do not track a specific landmark.
How do hills, buildings and trees change the real sunset?
The calculated sunset assumes a flat horizon. A hill or a ridge to the west can hide the sun many minutes before the calculated time, and the sky above can still be lit. In a city, a wall of buildings can do the same. If you want the real sunset, find a spot with a long open line toward the bearing in the table. A beach, a rooftop, a lake shore or a hilltop are the usual choices.
Walking a few hundred meters sideways can make a large difference to where the sun disappears behind the skyline.
How do I use the bearing at a new place?
When you travel, the direction can surprise you, especially at high latitudes where the sunset point moves quickly. Add the city you are visiting as a place and read the sunset time for it, then use the bearing from the NOAA calculator to find the stretch of horizon to face. In Afterhue, each saved place shows its current band and sunset time, and the sun times are calculated in that place's own time zone.
What if the sun does not set at all?
North of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle there are days when the sun stays up all day or never rises. In those places Afterhue shows a plain message, The sun stays up all night here or The sun does not rise here today, and hides the score instead of making up a time.
Is the opposite sky worth looking at?
Yes. After sunset the eastern sky often shows a pink band called the Belt of Venus, so a viewpoint with an open east can be as rewarding as one facing west. Read more in why the sky turns pink at sunset.
Which direction does the sun rise?
The mirror image. It rises due east at the equinoxes, northeast in the Northern Hemisphere summer and southeast in winter. If you want to compare mornings and evenings, our article on sunrise or sunset: which is better has a table.
Frequently asked questions
Does the sun always set in the west?
No. It sets due west only at the equinoxes. The rest of the year it sets north or south of west.
Which direction does the sun set in summer?
In the Northern Hemisphere, to the northwest. In the Southern Hemisphere, to the southwest.
Which direction does the sun set in winter?
In the Northern Hemisphere, to the southwest. In the Southern Hemisphere, to the northwest.
How can I find the sunset direction on my phone?
Use the NOAA solar calculator for the bearing, then match it with the iPhone Compass app. Afterhue also names the direction on a Sky Call card.
Why does the sunset point move?
Earth's axial tilt changes where the sun sits in the sky through the year, so the horizon point where it disappears slides back and forth.
Keep exploring
3-Day Sunset Outlook and Saved PlacesThree days of sunsets and sunrises as ranges, and up to 10 saved places with alerts.Sunrise or SunsetSunrise vs sunset compared on color, light, crowds, weather and effort.