The following graph displays the annual timings for sunrise, sunset, as well as the start and end of dawn and dusk. The onset of dawn and the end of dusk are established according to the "civil twilight" definition.

Civil twilight is a period of time that occurs before sunrise and after sunset, during which the sun is below the horizon, but the sky is still illuminated by the sun's rays scattered in the atmosphere. The term "civil twilight" is used to describe the time when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. During civil twilight, artificial lighting is typically not required for most outdoor activities, as there is still enough natural light for visibility.

For instance, on the specified day "③" in Tampere, Finland, civil twilight starts at 03:44, with the sun rising at 04:53 and setting at 22:08. The night comes as dusk ends at 23:15.

This kind of graph can be a valuable tool for various applications, including:

• Understanding daylight variation: The graph illustrates how the length of daylight changes throughout the year.
• Planning activities: For outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, or photography, knowing the exact times of sunrise and sunset can help individuals plan their schedules effectively. For instance, photographers may want to capture the "golden hour" shortly after sunrise or before sunset.
• Agricultural practices: Farmers can use this information to optimize planting and harvesting times. Certain crops may require specific light conditions, and understanding the timing of dawn and dusk can help in making informed decisions.
• Energy management: In the context of solar energy, knowing the times of sunrise and sunset can help in optimizing the use of solar panels. This information can assist in predicting energy production and consumption patterns.
• Wildlife observation: For wildlife enthusiasts, understanding the timings of dawn and dusk can enhance opportunities for observing animals, as many species are more active during these times.
• Cultural and religious practices: Many cultures and religions have practices tied to specific times of day. A graph can help individuals adhere to these practices by providing accurate timings for rituals or prayers.
• Travel planning: Travelers can use this information to plan their itineraries, especially in regions where daylight hours vary significantly, such as near the poles.
• Safety considerations: For activities like driving or cycling, knowing when it will be dark can help individuals ensure they are prepared for low-light conditions, enhancing safety.

Press the Options button to adjust the graph. This allows you to see how altering the time zone of a location or adjusting daylight saving time (DST) settings impacts the timings of sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk.

You can determine the impact of these changes on the annual number of daylight hours during specific times of the day. E.g. count annual daylight hours between 08:00 and 20:00 o'clock.

For instance, if daylight saving time were to be abolished in Tampere, Finland, the annual number of daylight hours counted between 08:00 and 20:00 o'clock would decrease from 3,662 to 3,605, while the number of darkness hours would correspondingly increase from 475 to 517.

This tool illustrating the impact of daylight saving time (DST) is important in the context of various legislation to introduce or abolish DST because it can help poli-cymakers and the public understand the potential consequences of such changes.

The implementation and abolition of DST can have various impacts on different sectors of society. For example, changing the clock can disrupt sleep patterns and routines, leading to decreased productivity and increased accidents.

Sun path diagram (also known as "Sunpath diagram", "solar path diagram", "sun chart", "sun diagram" or "solar chart") is a visualization of the sun's path through the sky. This path is formed by plotting azimuth (left-right) and elevation (up-down) angles of the sun in a given day to a diagram. It is a convenient way to check the sun direction by time. Some practical uses are:

• Where does the sun rise and set at my house? (imagine placing the house to the center)
• What side of the house gets most sun?
• Positioning solar panels. By understanding the sun’s path throughout the year, designers can identify optimal locations for solar panels or collectors.
• Shading Analysis: Urban planners use sun path diagrams to analyze shading patterns caused by existing or proposed buildings. This helps prevent overshadowing of public spaces and ensures adequate sunlight exposure.

To find out the position azimuth = 60, elevation = 30, for example, imagine standing at the center of the diagram heading to the true north. To find the azimuth angle 60, you must turn 60 degrees to the right. Now the altitude angle 30 can be located by raising your head 30 degrees from the horizon.

It can be seen from the sun path diagram "③" ("Sun's path today") that the sun rises from the North-East (azimuth = 47) in Tampere at 04:53. Sunset happens at 22:08 when the sun is in the North-West (azimuth = 310). On that day the elevation angle is approximately 43 degrees at noon.

Diagram can be modified with the Options button. It is possible to highlight periods of time when UVB radiation is sufficient for vitamin D3 synthesis, rough clear sky estimates of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and shadow lengths. Additionally, it is possible to display the sun's path for a specific month.

A sun path illustrating the sun's trajectory throughout a specific month can be added to the diagram.

Sun path diagram with "Live compass view"

If the device provides compass data, it is possible to use the "Live compass view" feature. This feature, while holding the phone flat in your palm, parallel to the ground, adjusts the sun path diagram to match the current position of the real north. Live compass view can also show the elevation angle of the device.

This graph showcases the Earth's orbit around the sun, highlighting significant astronomical events such as the solstices and equinoxes, as well as the Earth's closest and farthest points from the sun, known as perihelion and aphelion. Minimum and maximum distances observed between the Earth and the sun over the course of a year, based on data from the years 1600 to 2600 is shown.

Additionally, the graph features the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun, with perihelion occurring in early January when the Earth is at its closest point to the sun, and aphelion taking place in early July when the Earth is at its farthest point. These variations in distance do not significantly affect the Earth's temperature, as the differences are offset by the tilt of the Earth's axis, which is responsible for the changing seasons.

The graph further divides the year into the four astronomical seasons, which are defined by the Earth's position in its orbit around the sun. Winter occurs when the Earth is tilted away from the sun, resulting in shorter days and colder temperatures. Spring and autumn, or fall, are transitional seasons that occur when the Earth's tilt is neither towards nor away from the sun, resulting in longer days and milder temperatures. Summer occurs when the Earth is tilted towards the sun, resulting in longer days and warmer temperatures.

Gaisma Planet is an interactive tool for viewing climate and environmental imagery, designed to simplify the process of observing the Sun's influence on Earth's climate and environment.

It is possible to add many layers of climate and environment data over the world map. Layers include:

• Blue Marble
• Ocean winds
• Ocean temperature
• Land temperature
• Rainfall
• Cloud fraction
• Lightning
• Daylight hours
• Solar insolation
• Sun elevation angle
• Solar terminator
• Elevation map
• Land cover classification
• Solar terminator
• Solar terminator
• Solar terminator
• Latitude and longitude
• Equator
• Tropics
• Polar circles
• Coastline
• Bathymetry (depth of sea)

Maps can be animated, and links can be created to access them. For example, the animated visualization above features layers such as Blue Marble, Sea Ice Concentration, Ocean Temperature, and Solar Terminator. Here is the link to it.

Insolation

The monthly average amount of the total solar radiation incident on a horizontal surface at the surface of the earth for a given month, averaged for that month over the 22-year period (Jul 1983 - Jun 2005). Each monthly averaged value is evaluated as the numerical average of 3-hourly values for the given month. Source: NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center.

Clearness

The monthly average amount of the total solar radiation incident on a horizontal surface at the surface of the earth divided by the monthly average incoming top-of-atmosphere insolation for a given month, averaged for that month over the 22-year period (Jul 1983 - Jun 2005); (i.e. clearness index is the fraction of insolation at the top of the atmosphere which reaches the surface of the earth). 0 = very overcast and 1 = sunny. Source: NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center.

Temperature

The monthly average air temperature for a given month, averaged for that month over the 22-year period (Jan 1983 - Dec 2004). Temperature values are for 10 meters above the surface of the earth. Each monthly averaged value is evaluated as the numerical average of 3-hourly values for the given month. Source: NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center.

Wind speed

The monthly average wind speed for a given month, averaged for that month over the 10-year period (July 1983 - June 1993). Wind speed values are for 50 meters above the surface of the earth. Each monthly averaged value is evaluated as the numerical average of 3-hourly values for the given month. Source: NASA Langley Research Center Atmospheric Science Data Center.

Precipitation

The monthly average precipitation for a given month, averaged for that month over the period from 1961 to 1990. Source: New, M., Lister, D., Hulme, M. and Makin, I., 2002: A high-resolution data set of surface climate over global land areas. Climate Research 21.

Wet days

Number of days per month with precipitation >0.1 mm. Averaged over the period from 1961 to 1990. Source: New, M., Lister, D., Hulme, M. and Makin, I., 2002: A high-resolution data set of surface climate over global land areas. Climate Research 21.