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Sun Tool

Auto-detecting your location…

trulycompass.com

Current Sun Position

Live sun direction, altitude, and today's sunrise and sunset for your location.

Solar Tracking

Sun Direction Now

Locating…
N E S W

Azimuth

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Altitude --°

Your location: Detecting coordinates…

Sun Direction

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--° azimuth

Altitude

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Sunrise

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local time

Sunset

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local time

Physics Reference

Understanding the solar path.

The trajectory of the sun changes continuously based on latitude, longitude, and date. Use these core astronomical indices to track the sun:

Solar Azimuth

The horizontal direction of the sun measured clockwise from North (0°). E.g., East is 90°, South is 180°, West is 270°.

Solar Altitude

The vertical height of the sun above the horizon. Ranges from 0° on the horizon to 90° directly overhead (Zenith). Negative values represent the sun below the horizon (night).

Solar Noon

The moment when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for the day at your exact coordinates. This differs slightly from 12:00 PM clock time due to timezone boundaries and orbital offsets.

Golden Hour

The periods shortly after sunrise and before sunset where light is warmer, softer, and shadows are elongated — highly valued by photographers.

FAQ

Common questions about sun position.

What is the position of the Sun right now?

The Sun's position is determined by two angles: azimuth (direction from North, 0-360°) and altitude (height above horizon, -90 to +90°). This tool calculates these in real-time based on your GPS coordinates and the current time.

How old is the Sun?

The Sun is approximately 4.6 billion years old and is currently in the middle of its life cycle. It has enough fuel to burn for another 5 billion years before becoming a red giant.

How do I find my sun path?

Your sun path is the trajectory the Sun follows across the sky at your location. It changes daily with the seasons. Use the solar tracking dial above and watch how the Sun's azimuth and altitude change throughout the day.

Is the sunrise east or west?

The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Specifically, sunrise occurs at azimuth ~90° (due east only during spring and fall equinoxes; otherwise slightly north or south of east depending on season and latitude).