Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Perplexed of Leicester on 26/06/2018 12:09:20

Title: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: Perplexed of Leicester on 26/06/2018 12:09:20

At the weekend, I visited Whitby, in Yorkshire and witnessed the sun setting in the North Sea, to the north-west of me. How is this possible?

Title: Re: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: jeffreyH on 26/06/2018 12:26:18

This depends upon the position of the ecliptic. This is generally the path that planets and the sun take around the sky from our point of view. Also the coastline at Whitby is slanted north westwards.

Title: Re: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: chris on 26/06/2018 16:45:04

Thanks - but this is not a question of the week so strictly should be in one of the other boards. Someone will move it in due course.

Title: Re: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: Bill S on 26/06/2018 20:18:53

Hi Perplexed of Leicester, welcome.  Did you "jet" into Whitby?  Sorry; it got the better of me. 

Not on topic, but relevant to orientation. 

At Hunstanton, on the East Norfolk coast, there is a stretch of West-facing cliffs.

Title: Re: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: RD on 26/06/2018 21:40:51

 [ Invalid Attachment ]
http://suncalc.net/#/54.5905,-0.6743,5/2018.06.26/21:29 (http://suncalc.net/#/54.5905,-0.6743,5/2018.06.26/21:29)

Title: Re: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: evan_au on 26/06/2018 22:46:11

Quote from: RD

sunset is North East.png

I'm afraid the graphic is a bit cryptic, RD.
Can you put some words around it, please?

For us here in the more temperate climes of Australia, the Sun is north of us most of the day, most of the year.

Title: Re: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: saspinski on 27/06/2018 00:43:18

At even higher latitudes the sun doesn't set in the summer.

If we travel to the south, from a place where the midnight sun happens, we will cross regions where the sun at midnight is just below the horizon, exactly to the north.

And it crosses the horizon, in the sunset, between west and north.

Title: Re: How is it possible for the Sun to set in the northwest?
Post by: Colin2B on 27/06/2018 08:03:57

Quote from: Bill S on 26/06/2018 20:18:53

Did you "jet" into Whitby? 

You and your black humour  8)