Where the sun
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Understanding the Position and Role of the Sun
Visual Perception and the Sun's Position
When interpreting shaded images as three-dimensional scenes, the human visual system often assumes that light comes from above. This assumption is ecologically justified because our primary light source, the sun, is typically overhead. However, research indicates that people's preferred lighting direction is not directly overhead but slightly shifted to the left. This preference is also influenced by handedness, suggesting that the perceived position of the sun is subjective and varies among individuals1.
Algorithms for Solar Position Calculation
Accurately determining the sun's position is crucial for various applications, especially in solar engineering. Several algorithms exist to calculate the sun's position with varying degrees of precision. A newly proposed algorithm achieves a balance between accuracy and computational efficiency, with a maximal error of 0.0027°, making it suitable for most solar engineering applications2. Simplified methods also exist for rapid calculations, achieving an accuracy of 0.01°6.
Solar Geometry in Architecture
Understanding solar geometry is essential for architectural design, particularly for sun-shading and energy efficiency. Architects must consider the sun's position to enhance human comfort and reduce energy costs. This involves knowing the sun's angles and how they change throughout the year, which is a fundamental aspect of architectural design analysis3.
The Sun's Path and Seasonal Variations
The sun's position in the sky changes based on time, geographic coordinates, and the Earth's orbit. These variations affect the duration of daylight, the sun's altitude, and the directions of sunrise and sunset. Factors such as the Earth's orbital eccentricity and axial tilt contribute to these changes, resulting in phenomena like the equinoxes and solstices4 9. For instance, during equinoxes, the sun rises exactly in the east and sets in the west, but this alignment shifts throughout the year8.
The Sun's Physical Characteristics
The sun is a star composed of hot ionized gas, primarily hydrogen and helium. Nuclear fusion reactions in the sun's core generate immense energy, creating an outward pressure balanced by gravitational forces, maintaining the sun's spherical shape. This state, known as hydrostatic equilibrium, is a common phase in a star's lifecycle7. The sun's surface temperature is approximately 5760 K, and it emits energy at a rate of 380 × 10^15 GW10.
Conclusion
The sun's position and its perception play significant roles in various fields, from visual interpretation and architectural design to solar engineering and astronomy. Understanding these aspects helps in optimizing designs for energy efficiency, enhancing human comfort, and accurately tracking solar movements for scientific and practical applications. The sun's physical properties and its dynamic path across the sky underscore its importance in both our daily lives and broader scientific endeavors.
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 CitedAn algorithm for the computation of the solar position
The proposed algorithm provides a precision of 0.0027° for solar position determination, suitable for solar engineering applications, with a computational cost comparable to fast algorithms.
Highly CitedThe Sun’s position in the sky
The Sun's position in the sky changes with time and the observer's geographic coordinates, affecting daylight duration, maximum and minimum altitudes, and sunrise and sunset directions.
Calculating the position of the sun
The sun's position can be calculated rapidly and accurately using computer algorithms, with an accuracy of 0.01°.
Highly Cited