How long a sunrise or sunset lasts, on average, will range between 2 and 5 minutes. Your experience will vary depending on some important factors: the season of the year, atmospheric conditions, your elevation, and, most importantly, your location.
Sunrise and sunset are beautiful phenomenons of nature, filling each day with its own unique tapestry of colors. For the purposes of this article, we’ll discuss the short period of time the disk of the Sun is actively rising above or setting below the horizon.
There is a much longer process and experience that involves the period of twilight and phases before and after the Sun has appeared or disappeared from the horizon. We have several articles covering those aspects, which I will provide links to at the end of this article.
Key Points
• The period of time the disk of the Sun is actively rising above or setting below the horizon:
2-5 minutes
• (4) Factors which will impact how long they will last:
– Your Location
– Elevation
– Atmospheric Conditions
– Season of the Year
How long Does a Sunrise and Sunset Last?
Once the disk of the Sun has touched the horizon, whether rising or setting, the complete orb of the Sun will either be entirely above or completely below on average within 2 and 5 minutes. Let’s discuss the factors which play a significant role in the length of time a sunrise or sunset last.
Location
The length of time a sunrise or sunset lasts is shortest at the equator. There is less curvature of the Earth, for the Sun to span before rising above or setting below the horizon.
So, the closer you are to the equator, the shorter the time a sunrise or sunset will be. The higher the latitude north or south from the equator, the longer the sunset and sunrise will last.
A person in Key West, FL, will experience the Sun rising or sinking below the horizon more quickly than a person in the state of Maine, on the very same day.
Elevation
If two people were in the same area, one in the mountains and one in a field at the base of the mountains, the person at the higher elevation would experience the Sun rising or setting over a longer period of time. Their line of sight extends further out over more of the Earth’s curvature.
The person’s line of sight at the lower elevation is shorter; thus, the visual of the Sun moves above or below the horizon more quickly.
Atmospheric Conditions
The Sun’s light has more atmosphere nearer the horizon to travel through before reaching our eyes compared to higher up in the sky.
Air temperature, particles, and gasses within this condensed layer of atmosphere can create an illusion that the Sun is still above the horizon even after it has actually passed below. This effect is the result of atmospheric refraction.
The heat and gases affect the wavelengths of light projecting the Sun’s image above the horizon. In this instance, through the refraction of light, if the atmosphere were to disappear, the Sun would no longer be visible. Atmospheric refraction can prolong the experience of sunrise and sunset.
Season of the Year
We experience different seasons on Earth due to the planet’s tilt on its axis. Where the Earth is in its ecliptic orbit of the Sun affects the position and angle of the Sun in the sky.
As the Earth travels along its orbit, one hemisphere will always have a more direct view of the Sun than the other. In the summer, the Sun is higher in the sky, and in the winter, it’s lower.
When the Sun is highest during the summer months, it has more curvature of the Earth to clear, making for a longer journey to pass above or below the horizon during sunrise and sunset. The opposite happens in the winter months. Thus, the season of the year impacts how long a sunrise or sunset will last.
Experiencing the Magic
Sunsets and Sunrises can create a moment of awe, filling your mind with a feeling of peacefulness or reflection.
If you are planning to view a sunrise or sunset, at some wonderful location, I suggest arriving thirty minutes to an hour before and remaining an equal amount of time after to experience all the brilliant colors of the golden hour and twilight periods.
Beautiful colors – Variations of reds and oranges.
What is Sunrise or Sunset Time
and Where to find it?
Sunrise or Sunset time will be the moment the entire disk of the Sun (edge of the Sun is the limb) has completely risen above or sunken below the horizon.
There are many places online to find sunrise or sunset times for any location in the world. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a well-known publication that has provided celestial calendars and times for more than 200 years. Here is where you can find sunrise and sunset times within the United States or Canada on The Old Farmer’s Almanac site.
Sunrise & Sunset times calculator.
Conclusion
Sunrise and sunset can slip by rather quickly. In most regions within 2 and 5 minutes. Exactly how long will depend on your location, elevation, atmospheric effects, and the season of the year.
Most importantly, embrace the moment as each sunrise and sunset period is a one-of-a-kind experience. No two are ever the same. Enjoy!
