Sunrise Positions in Washington, D.C.

Latitude 38° 53' N, Longitude 77° 01' W

The Earth's axis of rotation is inclined 23.5 degrees from the vertical to the plane of its orbit. This means that the orientation of the Sun's rays at a location changes over the course of the day and the year. Net result: in the extra-tropical regions, we have seasons! The position of the Sun in the sky changes and brings with it, over the year, changes of:

solar altitude

. . . and, . . .

hours of daylight

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr
Dec		Picture Orientation	May
Nov		Due East to Jefferson Dome	Jun
Oct	Sep	Aug	Jul

The photographs in the above series were each taken near the time of sunrise on a clear day near the 21st of the month. The date, local standard time of sunrise, and total possible length of daylight are listed in the table below. In the center are two daytime views of the local horizon, a wider view and a close-up, showing the orientation of the photo site relative to the monuments of Washington, D.C. The green dome of the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress (to the right of the U.S. Capitol building) is directly east from the camera position site.

Click on any photo to show the enlarged view.
Sun Information
Date Jan 20 Feb 20 Mar 21 Apr 20 May 21 Jun 21 Jul 21 Aug 23 Sep 21 Oct 23 Nov 21 Dec 21

Sunrise (EST) 7:23 6:53 6:09 5:24 4:51 4:43 5:00 5:29 5:55 6:26 6:58 7:23

Total possible daylight 9:52 10:57 12:12 13:26 14:28 14:54 14:29 13:22 12:11 10:52 9:52 9:27

Date	Jan 20	Feb 20	Mar 21	Apr 20	May 21	Jun 21	Jul 21	Aug 23	Sep 21	Oct 23	Nov 21	Dec 21
Sunrise (EST)	7:23	6:53	6:09	5:24	4:51	4:43	5:00	5:29	5:55	6:26	6:58	7:23
Total possible daylight	9:52	10:57	12:12	13:26	14:28	14:54	14:29	13:22	12:11	10:52	9:52	9:27