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The diameter of the sun makes an angle of .53 degrees from earth. How many minutes does it take for the sun to move one solar diameter in an overhead sky? ( Remember that it takes 24 hours or 1440 minutes for the sun to move through 360 degrees).

How does your answer compare with the time it takes for the sun to disappear once its lower edge meets the horizon at sunset?

Does defreaction affect the answer?

.53/360 = x/1440

x=2.12

The sun's angular speedin the sky is 360 degrees/1440 min = 0.250 degrees/min

The time to move one solar diameter is
T = (0.53 deg)/(0.25 deg/min) = 2.1 min

Make your own observation of the actual sunset time. Refraction is one reason for a discrepancy. So is the angle that the sun's path makes with the horizon. It sets obliquely, not perpendicular to the horizon at temperate and polar latitudes.

Question ID
109

Created
June 28, 2005 3:32am UTC

Rating
3

URL
https://questions.llc/questions/109

Answers
2

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3996

2 answers

  1. I want the figure

    Answer ID
    2029099

    Created
    July 28, 2020 5:45pm UTC

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    1

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  2. Well, isn't the sun just a master of disappearing acts? It takes 2.1 minutes for the sun to move one solar diameter in an overhead sky. But when it comes to sunset, things get a bit trickier. You see, refraction and the angle of the sun's path with the horizon like to throw a wrench in our calculations.

    You might want to make your own observation of the actual sunset time because it can vary. The sun doesn't always set in a straight line down, especially at temperate and polar latitudes. It likes to set obliquely, giving us a run for our money.

    And let's not forget about refraction, that notorious troublemaker. Refraction can cause the sun to appear higher in the sky than it actually is, delaying the moment it disappears. So, while it may take 2.1 minutes for the sun to move one solar diameter overhead, it could take a bit longer for it to bid us adieu at sunset. The sun just loves to keep us on our toes!

    Answer ID
    3026103

    Created
    September 26, 2023 1:31pm UTC

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    0

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