Sun Compass.

Frequently asked questions.

How does the sun compass work?

The Sun Compass combines two data sources simultaneously. First, it reads your device's magnetometer to determine the direction your phone is currently pointing (your magnetic heading). Second, it uses your GPS coordinates and the current time to calculate the sun's precise azimuth (compass bearing) using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms — the same standard used by observatories and navigation software worldwide. The difference between your heading and the sun's azimuth tells the tool how to rotate the golden needle on the dial so it always points at the sun, regardless of which direction you're facing. Both the magnetometer and GPS are updated in real time, so the needle tracks continuously as you and the sun move.

What is solar noon?

Solar noon is the moment when the sun crosses the local meridian — the imaginary north-south line running directly overhead — and reaches its maximum altitude for that day. At solar noon, the sun is due south (Northern Hemisphere) or due north (Southern Hemisphere). It is the geometric midpoint between sunrise and sunset, but it rarely coincides with clock noon (12:00). The difference between clock noon and solar noon can range from a few minutes to over 30 minutes depending on your longitude within your time zone and the time of year. The seasonal variation is caused by the equation of time — a result of Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt. The Sun Compass shows the precise solar noon time for your exact location.

What is golden hour?

Golden hour is the window of time after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is at a low angle — typically between 0° and 6° above the horizon. At such low angles, sunlight passes through a much thicker slice of atmosphere than at midday, scattering out the harsh blue and ultraviolet wavelengths and leaving warm amber, orange, and red tones. The light is also more diffused and directional, creating soft shadows and making textures stand out — effects that photographers and cinematographers prize highly. The duration of golden hour varies from as little as 15–20 minutes near the equator (where the sun rises and sets nearly vertically) to several hours in polar regions during summer. The Sun Compass shows the exact start and end of both morning and evening golden hour for your location.

Why do I need to share my location?

The sun's position in the sky depends entirely on three things: your latitude, your longitude, and the current time. Your latitude determines the sun's maximum altitude and the general arc it takes across the sky. Your longitude (combined with the time) determines where in that arc the sun is right now. Without your GPS coordinates, it is impossible to calculate which direction the sun is, when solar noon occurs, or when golden hour begins and ends for you specifically. The location data is used only inside your browser for this calculation — it is never transmitted to any server, stored anywhere, or shared with third parties.

Navigating and Shooting by the Sun

The sun has been used for navigation for thousands of years — from Polynesian wayfinders reading its arc across the sky, to modern pilots taking a sun-line fix. The Sun Compass combines your device's magnetic sensor with real-time solar position calculations to show exactly where the sun is at this moment and how that relates to the direction you're facing. The golden needle on the dial always tracks the sun as it moves across the sky.

How the sun moves through the day

In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun rises in the east, arcs across the southern sky, and sets in the west. At solar noon — the midpoint of this arc — it is due south and at its highest point in the sky. In the Southern Hemisphere the arc goes across the northern sky, so solar noon finds the sun due north. Near the equator the sun can pass directly overhead during the warmer months.

The exact bearing of sunrise and sunset shifts significantly through the year. At the summer solstice in the northern latitudes, the sun rises considerably north of east and sets north of west, meaning it traces a long arc high in the sky. At the winter solstice it rises south of east, traces a low flat arc, and sets south of west. At the equinoxes it rises almost exactly due east and sets almost exactly due west everywhere on Earth. The Sun Compass shows you the sun's current azimuth (its bearing from north) and altitude (its height above the horizon) live, updated every few seconds.

What is solar noon?

Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky — the midpoint between sunrise and sunset. It does not happen at 12:00 on your clock except by coincidence. Clock noon is a legal and administrative convenience based on time zones that can span 15° of longitude. Solar noon can differ from clock noon by up to 30+ minutes depending on your position within a time zone and the time of year (the latter is due to the equation of time — the variation caused by Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt).

Knowing solar noon is useful for several reasons. Photographers chasing the most dramatic shadows know that the sun is moving fastest laterally in early morning and late afternoon. Shadow-navigation techniques (using a stick and watching where its shadow moves) work most reliably around solar noon when the sun is due south or north. Solar panel installers orient panels toward solar noon for maximum annual energy yield.

Golden hour: why photographers love it

Golden hour refers to the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is between roughly 0° and 6° above the horizon. At these low angles, sunlight travels through much more of the atmosphere before reaching you, scattering away the harsh blue and UV wavelengths and leaving warm golden-red light. Shadows are long, textures are highlighted, and skin tones are flattering — all qualities that make this the most sought-after shooting time for portrait, landscape, and architectural photography.

The duration of golden hour varies enormously by latitude and season. Near the equator it can last as little as 20 minutes because the sun rises and sets at a steep angle. In high northern or southern latitudes in summer, the sun barely dips below the horizon at all, giving golden light that can last for hours — the famous "midnight sun" effect. The Sun Compass displays the exact start and end times for both morning and evening golden hour based on your GPS coordinates and the current date.

Using the Sun Compass for navigation

In a survival or fieldcraft situation where you have no compass but have a clear sky and a watch, you can estimate direction from the sun. In the Northern Hemisphere: point the 12 o'clock position of a watch toward the sun, and south is halfway between 12 and the hour hand. In the Southern Hemisphere, point 12 at the sun and north is midway between 12 and the hour hand. This technique gives a rough bearing — the Sun Compass gives you a precise one from the same data, updated in real time, without needing a watch at all.

For photographers scouting a location, the Sun Compass lets you check in advance what direction a scene will be lit from and at what time — so you can arrive exactly when the golden light falls where you need it. Use it alongside the Sun Position tool for full solar data including altitude and day length.