Where does the sun go at night?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding the Sun's Disappearance at Night
The Sun's Position and Perception
Visual System and Light Source Assumptions
Our visual system often interprets shaded images by assuming a light source from above, a concept deeply rooted in our daily experiences with the sun. Interestingly, research indicates that people generally prefer lighting that is slightly shifted to the left rather than directly overhead. This preference is influenced by handedness and is evident in art spanning over two millennia1. This suggests that our perception of the sun's position is not just about its actual location but also about where we prefer it to be.
The Night Sky and Darkness
The Sun's Movement and Earth's Rotation
The primary reason the sky turns dark at night is due to the Earth's rotation. As the Earth rotates, the sun sets and illuminates the opposite side of the planet, leaving the side facing away from the sun in darkness2. This simple explanation addresses the ancient question of why the sky is dark at night.
Darkness in Space
If we were to travel far from any star, the darkness would be even more profound than the night sky on Earth. This phenomenon has puzzled astronomers for centuries, leading to various theories about the nature of light and the structure of the universe2. The concept of infinite space and the distribution of stars play crucial roles in understanding why vast regions of space remain dark despite the presence of countless stars.
Observing Shadows and Rays After Sunset
Atmospheric Phenomena
After the sun sets, various atmospheric phenomena can be observed, such as the appearance of rosy and blue or black and white rays converging below the horizon. These rays are often traced back to the shadows of cumulus clouds on the western horizon. The rapid movement and persistence of these shadows indicate that they are not caused by terrestrial features like hills but by the clouds themselves3. Such observations highlight the dynamic interactions between sunlight and atmospheric conditions even after sunset.
Conclusion
In summary, the sun "disappears" at night due to the Earth's rotation, which causes one side of the planet to face away from the sun, resulting in darkness. Our perception of the sun's position is influenced by both ecological factors and personal preferences. Additionally, the darkness of space and atmospheric phenomena after sunset provide further insights into the complex interplay between light, the Earth, and the universe.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Where is the sun?
People's preferred lighting direction is not directly overhead, but rather shifted to the left, with a strong correlation between handedness and this preference.
Highly CitedDarkness at Night: A Riddle of the Universe
The sky is dark at night due to the sun setting and the earth being in the shadow of the sun, but the question has puzzled astronomers for centuries.
Celestial polarization patterns during twilight.
Celestial polarization patterns during twilight are a wide band stretching perpendicular to the hidden Sun, with typical degrees of polarization near 80% at wavelengths >600 nm, and typically appear 1 hour before local sunrise or disappear 1 hour after local sunset.
Highly CitedSun at the night
This phenomenon, using parabolic reflectors on the moon or artificial satellites, can provide sunlight even during night, reducing power consumption and dependence on nature for solar power generation.
Night‐time sun‐compass behaviour of honey bees at the equator
African honey bees can accurately infer the actual azimuthal position of the sun at night, despite the sun's azimuthal path moving backwards near the equator.
Plant Circadian Rhythms
The earth rotates on its axis every 24 h, with the result that any position on the earth's surface alternately faces toward or away from the sun—day and night. That the metabolism, physiology, and behavior of most organisms changes profoundly between day and night is obvious to even the most
Highly CitedTry another search
What is the potential of algae-based biofuels in renewable energy portfolios?
What is the Microfinance's impact on poverty alleviation?
Why do we have to wear helmets when biking?
Why do we have to wear a hat when it's sunny?
What is the potential of bioinformatics in advancing personalized healthcare and genomic medicine?
Why do we have to eat when we're happy?