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Sun Animation - seen from Northern Hemisphere

Imagine that every two weeks, at mid-day, you look out of a south-facing window. Each time you look, you see the same part of the sky. But the position of the Sun changes each time. This animation shows what you would see. You would not of course be able to see the stars passing in the background that are shown in the animation. However, watch for the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) passing behind the Sun in May, followed by Orion in June.

north sun animation

South is at the foot of the picture and sorth at the top, as it is seen from the northern hemisphere, facing south, at mid-day. East is to the left, West is to the right. The asymmetric figure "8" of the analemma - the looping path of the Sun - is clearly seen, with a small loop in May - June - July and a large loop in Nov - Dec - Jan.

The dashed purple line marks the ecliptic, which is the path of the Sun in the sky.


since 2002/04/28
www.hartrao.ac.za/other/sundial/northsunanim.html
Last updated 2002/04/28 by M Gaylard