Sandburg Center for Sky Awareness
A Fairfax County Public Schools Planetarium

Shadow Length Calculator

Use the SCSA Shadow Length Calculator to calculate the length of your shadow:
  1. Measure your height.
  2. For a specific date and time, determine the apparent Altitude of the Sun. [Set "Tabular Interval" to one (1) minute.] NEVER look directly at the Sun--blindness may result! Altitude/Azimuth Table courtesy U.S. Naval Observatory.

Note: Input fractions as decimals. For example, input 4 ½ as 4.50.
Your Height: (unit-independent)
Apparent Altitude of the Sun: (0-90 degrees)

Your shadow should extend units from the mid-point of your footsteps.

© Copyright 2002-2010 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Me and My Shadow - Making the Sun-Earth Connection | SCSA Home