SunPositionby SHIFT64

52.23° N, 21.01° EWarsawEngine: SunCalc (Meeus)
ENPL

Latitude & Location

Select a preset city, reference point, or set precise coordinates using the slider

Latitude
° N
-90° (South Pole)0° (Equator)+52.2° (Warsaw / Poland)+90° (North Pole)

Automatic Daily Maxima (Solar Noon)

Automatically determines solar culmination (solar noon), where sun elevation is highest and incidence angle is smallest

Maxima Enabled
Maximum for 2026-06-21:10:37(61.2°)
Maximum for 2026-12-21:10:34(14.4°)

Comparison of Two Dates Across the Year

Select any dates to immediately contrast solar radiation parameters and angles of incidence

2026-06-21

June 21, 2026
Daylight Saving Time (CEST) • UTC+2
Sun elevation (α)
61.2°
Max: 61.2°
Incidence Angle (Zenith)
28.8°
From vertical to ray
1 m Pole Shadow
0.55 m
At noon: 0.55 m
Day length
16h 47m
02:14 – 19:01

2026-12-21

December 21, 2026
Standard Time (CET) • UTC+1
Sun elevation (α)
14.4°
Max: 14.4°
Incidence Angle (Zenith)
75.6°
From vertical to ray
1 m Pole Shadow
3.90 m
At noon: 3.90 m
Day length
7h 42m
06:42 – 14:25

Comparative Overview (2026-06-21 vs 2026-12-21)

Direct differences in incidence angles, shadow geometry, and daylight duration

Solar Parameter2026-06-212026-12-21Difference (Δ)
Maximum sun elevation (α_max at noon)61.2°14.4°-46.8°
Angle of incidence on ground (zenith at noon)28.8°75.6°+46.8° (shallower on 2026-12-21)
1 m pole shadow length at noon0.55 m3.90 m+3.35 m (609% longer)
Culmination time (clock noon)10:37 (UTC+2)10:34 (UTC+1)Timezone shift of 1h (DST)
Day length (sunrise – sunset)16h 47m7h 42mDifference: 9h 5m

Sun Position on Celestial Dome & Elevation Angles

Astrometric celestial sphere: elevation angle (α) from 0° horizon to 90° zenith for both dates

15°30°45°60°75°ZENITH (90°)HORIZON (0°)14.4°α = 14.4°61.2°α = 61.2°Observer Point
Ground Shadow Length Summary (1.0 m pole)
Shadow on 2026-12-21 is 7.1x longer than on 2026-06-21
2026-06-21 (angle 61.2°)0.55 m
2026-12-21 (angle 14.4°)3.90 m
0 m1.3 m2.5 m3.8 m5.0 m
2026-06-21Angle & Shadow
61.2°elevation
1 m shadow length: 0.55 m
2026-12-21Angle & Shadow
14.4°elevation
1 m shadow length: 3.90 m
Shadow Difference (Δ)Multiplier
7.1xlonger shadow
Absolute difference: +3.35 m

24-Hour Solar Elevation Profile (00:00 – 24:00)

Solar altitude curve above the horizon throughout the full 24h day for both dates

2026-06-21 (Max: 61.2°)
2026-12-21 (Max: 14.4°)
0°15°30°45°60°75°90°00:0003:0006:0009:0012:0015:0018:0021:0024:00Max: 61.2°Max: 14.4°
Hover over the chart to inspect solar elevation at any minuteBottom solid line: horizon (0°)

Timezone & Clock Offset (Winter vs Summer)

Analysis of official CET / CEST differences and the equation of time effect on solar noon

2026-06-21Daylight Saving Time (CEST) • UTC+2

Daylight Saving Time UTC+2 (CEST) applies in summer – clocks are shifted +1 hour forward, causing solar noon to occur around 12:30–13:00 clock time.

Solar noon:10:37
2026-12-21Standard Time (CET) • UTC+1

Standard Time UTC+1 (CET) applies in winter – the sun culminates (reaches maximum altitude) around 11:30–12:00 clock time.

Solar noon:10:34
Why does solar noon differ from 12:00 on the clock?
  • Daylight Saving Time (DST): In Europe from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, Daylight Saving Time (UTC+2) is observed. Clocks are moved +1h forward, causing solar noon in June to occur around 12:30–13:00. In December, on standard time (UTC+1), culmination occurs around 11:30–12:00.
  • Longitude (21.01° E): Zone time UTC+1 is synchronized with the 15° E meridian. Every degree to the east shifts the solar culmination 4 minutes earlier.
  • Equation of Time: Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt introduce natural variations in true solar time ranging from -14 to +16 minutes throughout the year.
Astronomical model: SunCalc library (Jean Meeus algorithms)SunCalc documentation & source ↗