Sunset In Cologne: A Guide To Germany's Golden Hour

The sunrise and sunset times in Cologne, Germany, vary depending on the time of year. For example, in August 2024, the sun rose at 6:26 am and set at 8:44 pm, whereas in December 2024, the sun rises at 8:28 am and sets at 4:25 pm. The December solstice, or winter solstice, in Cologne falls on December 21, 2024, and is the shortest day of the year.

Sunrise times in Cologne, Germany

Sunrise and sunset times vary depending on the time of year and the city's proximity to the sun. On 20 August 2024, sunrise in Cologne was at 6:26 am, and sunset was at 8:44 pm, giving the city a total of 14 hours and 18 minutes of daylight.

As winter approaches, the days become shorter. On 14 December 2024, sunrise in Cologne was at 8:28 am, and sunset was at 4:25 pm, resulting in only 7 hours and 58 minutes of daylight. The shortest day of the year in Cologne is around the winter solstice, which falls on 21 December 2024. On this day, the city will experience 8 hours and 37 minutes less daylight than during the June solstice.

The exact times of sunrise and sunset can vary from one day to the next. For example, on 12 December, Cologne experienced its earliest sunset, while the latest sunrise will not occur until 30 December. These variations are due to the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis, which cause differences in sunrise and sunset times across different cities.

Sunset times in Cologne, Germany

The time of sunset varies depending on the time of year and the location. In Cologne, Germany, the sunset time can range from early evening to late evening.

For example, on 20 August 2024, the sun set at 8:44 pm. However, as winter approaches, the days get shorter and sunset occurs earlier in the day. On 14 December 2024, sunset is expected to occur at 4:25 pm.

The December solstice, or winter solstice, in Cologne falls on 21 December 2024, at 10:20 am. This day has 8 hours and 37 minutes less daylight than the June solstice, marking the shortest day of the year in Cologne.

The earliest sunset in December occurs on 12 December, while the latest sunrise takes place on 30 December. These dates indicate the rapid decrease in daylight hours during this time of year.

The variation in sunset times throughout the year is due to the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the sun. This orbit influences the position of the Earth's axis, resulting in different sunrise and sunset timings across the globe.

Solstice information

The December solstice, also known as the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in Cologne, Germany. This is because Cologne is located north of the equator. On the day of the winter solstice in 2024, which falls on 21 December, the sunrise will be at 8:28 am, and the sunset will be at 4:25 pm, giving a total day length of 7 hours and 58 minutes. This is 8 hours and 37 minutes shorter than the June solstice. The earliest sunset of the year falls on 12 December, and the latest sunrise occurs on 30 December.

The winter solstice is caused by the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the sun, which means that the Earth's axis is not perpendicular to the plane of its orbit. As a result, the sunrise and sunset times vary across different cities.

The equinox, which occurs in March and September, marks the two times of the year when the day and night are of equal length.

Twilight, dawn, and dusk times

Twilight refers to the period before sunrise and after sunset when the sky is still illuminated by the sun's rays. There are three types of twilight: civil, nautical, and astronomical. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon, resulting in enough light for objects to be distinguishable. Nautical twilight happens when the sun is between 6 and 12 degrees below the horizon, making it difficult to distinguish the horizon's outline. Lastly, during astronomical twilight, the sun is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon, and only the brightest stars and planets are visible.

Dawn is the transition from night to day, marking the beginning of morning twilight. It is the time when the first light of the sun appears in the sky before the sun itself rises above the horizon. Dusk, on the other hand, is the transition from day to night, marking the end of the evening twilight. It is when the sun sets below the horizon, and the sky gradually grows darker.

In Cologne, Germany, during August 2024, the day length varies. For example, on August 20, 2024, the day length was 14 hours and 18 minutes, with sunrise at 6:26 am and sunset at 8:44 pm. The specific times for twilight, dawn, and dusk on that day are not readily available. However, the times for astronomical twilight, which is a type of twilight, are provided. On August 20, 2024, astronomical twilight began at 5:57 am and ended at 9:19 pm in Cologne.

The timing of twilight, dawn, and dusk can significantly impact various activities and behaviours. For example, photographers often seek the soft, warm light of dawn or dusk, known as the "golden hour," to capture captivating images. Similarly, twilight enthusiasts may relish the peaceful transition between day and night, free from the harsh glare of direct sunlight.

Latitude and longitude

The sunset times for Cologne, Germany vary depending on the time of year. For example, on 14 December 2024, the sun will set at 4:25 pm. However, the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—will fall on 21 December 2024, when sunset will occur at 4:27 pm.

Cologne is a large city in western Germany, situated on the left bank of the Rhine River. It is the fourth-largest city in the country, with a population of close to 1 million people, and is the capital of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The city's latitude and longitude coordinates are approximately 50.933594, 6.961899, or 50° 56' 0.9384'' N, 6° 57' 42.8364'' E.

Other sources give slightly different coordinates for the city, with latitude and longitude readings of 50.935173, 6.953101, or 50° 55' 59.99" N, 6° 57' 0.00" E. These small discrepancies may be due to differences in the way the coordinates are calculated or the specific location in the city that is being referenced.

Regardless of the exact coordinates, these figures place Cologne firmly within the northern hemisphere, with its latitude falling just shy of 51 degrees and its longitude aligning with central Europe.

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