1. What is the Winter Solstice Sun Angle?

The Winter Solstice Sun Angle represents the maximum altitude of the sun at solar noon on the winter solstice (December 21/22 in Northern Hemisphere). This is when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky due to Earth's axial tilt of 23.44° away from the sun.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the winter solstice sun angle formula:

Where:

• \( \alpha \) — Sun altitude angle at solar noon (degrees)
• \( \phi \) — Observer's latitude (degrees)
• 23.44° — Earth's axial tilt (declination angle on winter solstice)

Explanation: The formula calculates how high the sun appears in the sky at noon on the shortest day of the year, accounting for your location's latitude.

3. Importance of Sun Angle Calculation

Details: Knowing the winter sun angle helps in solar panel positioning, architecture design (for passive solar heating), photography planning, and understanding seasonal sunlight patterns.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your latitude in degrees (-90 to +90). Positive for Northern Hemisphere, negative for Southern Hemisphere. The calculator will show the sun's maximum altitude angle on winter solstice.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the winter solstice sun angle important?
A: It determines the minimum sunlight exposure a location receives, affecting heating needs, daylight hours, and solar energy potential.

Q2: How does this differ from summer solstice angle?
A: Summer solstice uses -23.44° instead of +23.44° in the formula, resulting in higher sun angles.

Q3: What if I get a negative angle?
A: Negative values mean the sun doesn't rise above the horizon (polar night) on winter solstice at that latitude.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise for sea level at solar noon. Atmospheric refraction may add about 0.5° to apparent altitude.

Q5: Can I use this for other dates?
A: No, this is specific to winter solstice. Other dates require different declination angles.