In Which Direction Do the Sunrise and Sunset?

The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. This is a general rule due to the Earth’s rotation from west to east. However, the exact position of sunrise and sunset shifts slightly throughout the year due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis and its elliptical orbit around the Sun.

Why does the Sun Rise in East and Set in West?

In which direction do the sunrise and sunset? The journey of sunrise and sunset is a fascinating process driven by Earth’s rotation and orbit around the Sun. Here’s an explanation of sunrise and sunset in the east and west, respectively:

1. Earth’s Rotation: The Earth rotates on its axis, completing one full spin every 24 hours. This rotation makes it appear as though the Sun rises in the east, moves across the sky, and sets in the west.

2. Sunrise: Sunrise happens when the Earth’s rotation brings your location from the dark side (night) into the light of the Sun. The Sun appears on the horizon, creating soft golden and pink hues due to atmospheric refraction and scattering of sunlight. The exact time and position of sunrise change slightly every day depending on the season and your location.

3. The Sun’s Journey Across the Sky: After sunrise, the Sun seems to climb higher in the sky, reaching its highest point at noon. This is known as the solar zenith. The angle of the Sun in the sky depends on the time of year and how close you are to the equator.

4. Sunset: Sunset occurs when the Earth’s rotation takes your location from the Sunlit side into darkness. The Sun slowly dips below the horizon, and vibrant colours like orange, red, and purple fill the sky due to scattering.

5. Night and Preparation for the Next Sunrise: After sunset, the Earth continues its rotation, and your location enters the night. The Sun will “rise” again in the east as the cycle repeats, completing the journey of a day.

Myths and Facts About Sunrise and Sunset

If you are thinking in which direction do the sunrise and sunset, here are some myths and facts to consider.

• The Sun doesn’t actually move; it’s the Earth’s rotation that makes it look like the Sun is rising and setting.
• You see the Sun slightly earlier than it actually rises due to a phenomenon called atmospheric refraction, where the Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight.
• The beautiful reds, pinks, and oranges during sunset are caused by Rayleigh scattering.
• Even on the equinox, when day and night are supposed to be equal, the Sun rises slightly earlier and sets slightly later due to refraction and the size of the Sun.
• Near the poles, during summer, the Sun never sets (midnight Sun), and during winter, it never rises (polar night).

Common Doubts:

Which Places in India Experience Sunrise First and Last?	Why is there a time difference of about 5 hours between India and London?
Why is Monsoon Considered a Unifying Bond?	Distinguish between Khadar and Bhangar