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01/19/2006 12:08:21 PM · #1 |
I'd love a mashup with Google Earth or a stand alone program which could tell me where the sun is at any time for any location on earth. Lots of places I photo are a few hours away and I don't get many opportunities to go on road trips. Because of this, I try to plan when and where I need to be ahead of time and something like this would be mucho helpful.
Hoping for some magic... |
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01/19/2006 12:11:14 PM · #2 |
| There are many ways to get the info you seek. Sky and Telescope's website has an info bar across the top (I think it's JAVA) where you can enter any location and it will give you astronomical info for that site. There's also a more elaborate java app on their site that will do all sky charts, etc. Start there but there are lots of other options. I have a very cool app on my Palm that lets me generate detailed info for any location too. |
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01/19/2006 12:24:21 PM · #3 |
| I'm looking for more detail info than sunrise and sunset. I'd like to know at what position the sun will be as it travels across the sky that day. So at 10:00AM the sun will be here (and thus shadows will be here). Or the sun will be this high so I know if it will be over the top of a ridge or not. |
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01/19/2006 12:24:58 PM · #4 |
Starry Night is a very cool program but probably overkill.
//www.starrynight.com/
Nick
Message edited by author 2006-01-19 12:25:10.
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01/19/2006 12:38:33 PM · #5 |
When I was working on solar power projects, we used some software that would predict the position of the sun relative to a point on the ground to give an idea of how to site solar panels for optimum power output. That might give you part of what you want, but it won't account for terrain etc. It's not going to tell you what time the sun will drop below a ridge or peak. You'd have to know the angular height of the peak relative to your position.
To do what you're asking, you'd need not only the sun's position data, but also detailed 3D terrain data.
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01/19/2006 12:40:45 PM · #6 |
Doc, I haven't looked at the S&T website in any detail, but most of those programs will give you the exact position of the sun at any time during the day, altitude and azumuth. This is the type of stuff you're talking about, sun 10 degrees above the SW horizon at 3 pm, etc.
Starry Night was mentioned as another option. It is an example of desktop planetarium software that us uber cool, but might be more than what you need. My Palm app, called Planetarium is my personal favorite because it gives me everything I want (when does Saturn rise tonight, when will the sun be 5 degrees above the horizon tomorrow morning, etc.) but there are many solutions to this problem. I'm sure we can help you find something that works for you.
Message edited by author 2006-01-19 12:41:08. |
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01/19/2006 12:44:59 PM · #7 |
When I was working as an architectural photographer we had a physical "sun angle calculator" that worked sort of like a complex combination of slide rules (bad analogy) to show us both the sun's vertical and horizontal angular components at any lat/long location on any given day at any given hour. It was invaluable for pre-planning shoots at remote locations; we could look at a site plan of a building and predict with considerable accuracy the time at which light would be "raking" a given wall on a given day, for example. We were able to plan out shots and vantage points for an entire day and prepare what amounted to a "script" for shooting; "We need to be here at 2:15 PM and the last light on this facade will be at 11:13 AM" sort of stuff.
We also used it to put our lighting in accurate positions for model photography.
I've never looked for such a thing online, though.
R.
This is what we used to use: //www.sbse.org/resources/sac/PSAC_Manual.pdf
Message edited by author 2006-01-19 12:49:41. |
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01/19/2006 12:45:29 PM · #8 |
I second Nikolai1024's suggstion. Starry Night will do what you want, both in data and visually. I have it and it is a very cool program. Probably more than you want $ wise, but it would do the job.
I just wish we didn't have so much light pollution around here... *sigh*.
Doug
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01/19/2006 12:50:27 PM · #9 |
Okay, here ya go; I think this is what you are looking for: //www.susdesign.com/sunangle/index.html
And here's another, simpler one:
Daymedia Sun path calculator.
R.
Message edited by author 2006-01-19 12:55:09. |
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01/19/2006 01:07:07 PM · #10 |
| I would also recommend Starry Night. I have the "Backyard" edition, which is $80 or so. However, you might be able to get the info you need from the "Beginner" version, which is around $30. here is a site for comparisons of versions and for ordering. |
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01/19/2006 01:23:18 PM · #11 |
I swear to you DPC knows everything.
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01/19/2006 01:36:51 PM · #12 |
Online Ephemeris calculator
I also have a small windows app called 'Ephemeris' that's free that I usually use.
Planetarium on palmOS is something I have handy. Sol II is also worth looking at on PalmOS. For pocketPC there is an app called 'Ephemeris' as well (see a theme yet for what you should be searching for ? :)) |
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01/19/2006 01:44:12 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
I swear to you DPC knows everything. |
I was going to say the exact same thing. Once again, it's problem solved! Thanks Bear, I liked those online calculators. They are enough for what I'm trying to accomplish.
So, since everybody knows everything...I have this patient... |
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01/19/2006 01:47:08 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
So, since everybody knows everything...I have this patient... |
Is it an eye problem? ;-) |
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01/19/2006 01:48:13 PM · #15 |
| heheheh still at it eh Doc? See like Bear said, I too used a sun angle calculator :) |
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01/19/2006 01:48:27 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by mavrik:
I swear to you DPC knows everything. |
I was going to say the exact same thing. Once again, it's problem solved! Thanks Bear, I liked those online calculators. They are enough for what I'm trying to accomplish.
So, since everybody knows everything...I have this patient... |
Tell himn/her to take two aspirin and post to DPC in the morning :-)
As for the calculators, I was pretty sure that was what you were after. The others are wonderdul, but they are WAY more complex than what you need for your purposes.
R. |
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01/19/2006 03:07:01 PM · #17 |
Not exactly what you wanted, but interesting anyway -- someone posted it here yesterday:
The Analemma |
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01/19/2006 03:20:50 PM · #18 |
My Garmin Legend C GPS includes sunrise/sunset moonrise/moonset moon phase and position in the sky for both. It also works great for identifying potential spots to go and they you set a waypoint and then it will navigate you to the spot.
P.S. I have the topo maps for Canada and it is a great time saver.
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01/19/2006 05:33:21 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
I swear to you DPC knows everything. |
I like having a google search option built right into the top of my browser window, but I know what would even be better, if some software developer out there wants to code it:
Three buttons, always available at any time:
Ask GeneralE
Ask Kirbic
Ask Bear_Music
What more would I need??
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01/19/2006 05:56:10 PM · #20 |
| Most new good GPSr have sun and moon set as well as diagram of positions displayed for when and where you are at anytime. |
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01/19/2006 05:59:11 PM · #21 |
| this is crazy. i was just thinking about this today. i was saying that they need to have this for photographers for places like national parks where you can have a 3d modeled environment and put the date and time in and actually see when the sun will be shining where. what a strange coincidence. |
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01/31/2006 12:00:00 AM · #22 |
| Have a look at [url]//www.sunpredictor .com very sophisticated program. Pricey but you get what you pay for. |
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01/31/2006 01:36:55 AM · #23 |
If you own a Macintosh with Tiger OS you can download a widgit called "Sunlit Earth"
It's pretty cool. |
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01/31/2006 02:20:15 AM · #24 |
I have had THIS (SunAngle) on my palm for a few years.
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