What Time Will It Get Dark

Jordan Payton

2 min read

·

02-01-2025

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Determining the exact time it will get dark depends on several factors, primarily your location and the time of year. There's no single answer that applies universally.

Understanding Sunset and Twilight

Before we dive into how to find out when it gets dark, let's clarify some terminology:

• Sunset: This is the moment when the upper limb of the sun disappears below the horizon.
• Civil Twilight: The period after sunset (or before sunrise) when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Sufficient light remains for most outdoor activities without artificial light.
• Nautical Twilight: The period when the sun is between 6 and 12 degrees below the horizon. Stars begin to become visible.
• Astronomical Twilight: The period when the sun is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon. Only the brightest stars are visible. True darkness typically occurs after astronomical twilight ends.

The time it feels dark will often depend on the level of twilight you consider "dark enough."

Finding Sunset and Twilight Times

There are several ways to determine the precise sunset and twilight times for your location:

• Online Calculators: Many websites offer sunset and twilight calculators. Simply enter your location (latitude and longitude, or city and state/province) and the date, and the calculator will provide the times. These are generally highly accurate.
• Weather Apps: Most weather apps include sunset and sunrise times in their daily forecast.
• Astronomical Almanacs: These detailed publications provide precise astronomical data, including sunset and twilight times, for specific locations.
• Dedicated Astronomy Software: Software designed for astronomy enthusiasts often includes detailed calculations for sunset and twilight.

Factors Affecting Darkness

Beyond your location and the date, other factors can subtly affect the time it gets dark:

• Atmospheric Conditions: Clouds, haze, and smoke can scatter sunlight, making it appear darker earlier than predicted. Conversely, clear skies allow more light to reach the ground, delaying the onset of darkness.
• Elevation: At higher elevations, the sun sets later and the twilight period is longer.
• Time Zone: The time zone you are in dictates the clock time of sunset and twilight, even though the astronomical event itself occurs at the same moment in your geographic location.

By utilizing one of the methods described above and considering the potentially influencing factors, you can accurately determine what time it will get dark in your specific location on any given day. Remember to choose the twilight definition ("dark enough") that suits your needs.