<p>Of course it is! How do you think <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundial" rel="nofollow noreferrer">sundials</a> work? That said, there are better, more precise ways to keep time. I don't know how to do it for an image; that is really a computational problem rather than an astronomy question. You might be better off asking it at <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/">Stack Overflow</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-14T03:42:26.447Z
2014-02-14T03:42:26.447Z
2017-05-23T12:37:21.700Z
Scott Griffiths
<p>Yes, you can, and it is easy.</p>

<p>You only need a Nautical Almaniac.</p>

<p>You'll find there both the tables you need for the Equation of Time and the formulas to use.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-14T08:18:12.433Z
2014-02-14T08:18:12.433Z
Envite
<p>I am trying to determine the time of day of some images I have.  I know the lat/lon, the day and year of image.  I also know the 3 solar angles (zenith, azimuth, and elevation).  Is there MATLAB or any other code that can do this calculation?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-10T20:45:37.497Z
Compare http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/25336/reverse-sun-position-algorithm
Gerald
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-11T16:14:20.977Z
Depends how precise you want to be, though, as the Equation of Time has a role to play. But sundials are founded on this principle.
adrianmcmenamin
<fundamental-astronomy>
Is it possible to calculate the time of day given latitude, longitude and solar elevation angles (zenith, azimuth, elevation)?
Andy
# Is it possible to calculate the time of day given latitude, longitude and solar elevation angles (zenith, azimuth, elevation)?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-10)

I am trying to determine the time of day of some images I have. I know the lat/lon, the day and year of image. I also know the 3 solar angles (zenith, azimuth, and elevation). Is there MATLAB or any other code that can do this calculation?

Thanks!

**Tags:** fundamental-astronomy
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Compare http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/25336/reverse-sun-position-algorithm  
> **username_2**: Depends how precise you want to be, though, as the Equation of Time has a role to play. But sundials are founded on this principle.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-02-14. Score: 1

Of course it is! How do you think [sundials](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundial) work? That said, there are better, more precise ways to keep time. I don't know how to do it for an image; that is really a computational problem rather than an astronomy question. You might be better off asking it at [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/).


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### Answer by username_4 on 2014-02-14. Score: 1

Yes, you can, and it is easy.

You only need a Nautical Almaniac.

You'll find there both the tables you need for the Equation of Time and the formulas to use.


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