1. What is the Daylight Equation?

The daylight equation calculates the total duration of daylight for a given location and date based on latitude and solar declination. It's fundamental in astronomy, meteorology, and various environmental sciences.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the daylight equation:

Where:

• \( DL \) — Daylight duration in hours
• \( \phi \) — Latitude in degrees
• \( \delta \) — Solar declination in degrees

Explanation: The equation accounts for the Earth's axial tilt and its effect on the sun's path across the sky at different latitudes.

3. Importance of Daylight Calculation

Details: Daylight duration affects agriculture, solar energy production, human circadian rhythms, and various ecological processes. Accurate calculation helps in planning and research across multiple disciplines.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter latitude (-90 to 90 degrees) and solar declination (-23.45 to 23.45 degrees). The calculator will compute the total daylight hours for that location and date.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is solar declination?
A: Solar declination is the angle between the rays of the Sun and the plane of the Earth's equator, varying between ±23.45° throughout the year.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation provides theoretical daylight duration. Actual daylight may vary slightly due to atmospheric refraction and local topography.

Q3: What's the maximum possible daylight hours?
A: At the poles during summer solstice, daylight can theoretically last 24 hours. At the equator, daylight is always about 12 hours.

Q4: Can this calculate twilight durations?
A: No, this calculates only the time between sunrise and sunset. Twilight calculations require additional parameters.

Q5: How does latitude affect daylight?
A: Higher latitudes experience greater variation in daylight hours throughout the year, while equatorial regions have nearly constant daylight duration.