Sun Rise and Sun Set Angle Demo

To demonstrate what angle the sun rises and sets at to the horizon you can build a simple pin hole camera obscura. You need a some what square cardboard box. Cut the top off and set it in front of you with the open top on its side facing you. Cut a 1/2" hole in the middle near the top of the side on your right. This is your pin hole lens. For the first 3 hours after sunrise and 3 hours before sunset the sun will hit the left side of the box. Tape a piece of paper on the left inside to track the sun's path.

For sunrise find a level place where you can see the sun rise and travel for the first few hours. Put a weight in the box to keep it from blowing around. Position your pin hole obscura so the image of the sun hits the left side closest to you. (Northern Hemisphere) Mark the sun's image every 30 minutes or so for the first few hours. Draw a level line through the first sun rise position to represent the horizon. Turn the paper screen over to show the sun's path angle to the horizon.

For sunset start 3 hours before sunset. Place the sun's image close to your edge of the left side of the box. Mark the sun's travel and add a horizon line at sunset position and turn over to see sun set path.

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