Sun Calculator 1.0

The Sun Calculator presents an interactive 3D visualization of sun movement and sunlight phases throughout the day, tailored for specific locations. This tool adeptly calculates sun azimuth, sun height, and zenith angle in real-time as time progresses.

Key functionalities include precise calculations for dusk, sunrise, midday (noon), sunset, and dawn times for the selected date, along with the total length of daylight. Additionally, the calculator provides shadow length computations in real-time as time flows. Users can also input custom object heights to determine corresponding shadow distances.

The application allows for device rotation to observe the sun's position with compass orientation. An option to fast-forward time by five minutes enables users to witness how shadows evolve with sun movement. Furthermore, custom locations and dates can be selected to preview sun movement globally.

This application is particularly beneficial for outdoor enthusiasts who require accurate solar data for planning their daytime activities.

The zenith angle is defined as the angle between the sun and a vertical line, differing from the elevation angle which measures from horizontal. Mathematically, it can be expressed as zenith angle = 90° - [sun height/elevation].

The solar azimuth angle refers to the angle formed by projecting the sun's center onto the horizontal plane in relation to true south.

Dusk denotes the darkest stage of twilight, occurring at the conclusion of astronomical twilight just after sunset and preceding nightfall. During predusk stages, sufficient light may allow reading outdoors; however, reading becomes impractical at civil twilight's conclusion when the sun dips 6° below the horizon. Typically, dusk is associated with astronomical dusk, representing the darkest part of twilight before night begins.

Sunrise marks the moment the upper edge of the sun appears on the horizon at dawn. Noon is recognized as the time when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky according to local celestial meridian standards, coinciding with 12 noon apparent solar time observable via sundials.

Sunset or sundown is characterized by the sun’s daily disappearance below the horizon caused by Earth's rotation. Dawn signifies the commencement of twilight preceding sunrise, denoted by indirect sunlight scattering in Earth's atmosphere until direct sunlight overpowers it at sunrise when the upper limb of the sun rises above the horizon.