<p>I would like to calculate the angle formed by the sun and the horizon for any hour of the day and any day of the year for a particular place on Earth.  So like: what is the angle of the sun to the horizon at 11AM on June 21 at Chicago?  (Sorry, I'm a newbie, and don't even know what the name of this angle is).  Is there a formula for calculating this?  Thanks!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-28T05:59:58.923Z
Here's [a calculator](https://keisan.casio.com/exec/system/1224682277) that finds the elevation angle of the Sun for a given place and time. Works for years 1900–2099, though. [Another calculator](https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/azel.html) doesn't seem to set a limit on the year. _Solar elevation_ is the name for the angle you want to know
Yellow Sky
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-28T06:15:26.880Z
The formulas needed are here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_of_the_Sun
Yellow Sky
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-28T14:35:40.370Z
@YellowSky I think your comments have enough material for a proper answer.
Mike G
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-30T13:36:25.137Z
Excellent!  Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.
Mark Polczynski
<the-sun><horizon>
Calculate position of sun in sky
Mark Polczynski
# Calculate position of sun in sky

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-07-28)

I would like to calculate the angle formed by the sun and the horizon for any hour of the day and any day of the year for a particular place on Earth. So like: what is the angle of the sun to the horizon at 11AM on June 21 at Chicago? (Sorry, I'm a newbie, and don't even know what the name of this angle is). Is there a formula for calculating this? Thanks!

**Tags:** the-sun, horizon
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Here's [a calculator](https://keisan.casio.com/exec/system/1224682277) that finds the elevation angle of the Sun for a given place and time. Works for years 1900–2099, though. [Another calculator](https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/azel.html) doesn't seem to set a limit on the year. _Solar elevation_ is the name for the angle you want to know  
> **username_1**: The formulas needed are here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_of_the_Sun  
> **username_2**: @YellowSky I think your comments have enough material for a proper answer.  
> **username_0**: Excellent!  Thanks, exactly what I was looking for.  

---

## 0 answers

