The apparent location of the sun and its actual location are two distinct concepts in astronomy. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for various astronomical observations and calculations.
Apparent Location:
The apparent location of the sun is the position where we see it in the sky. This is the location from which the sun appears to rise, move across the sky, and set. The apparent location is influenced by the Earth’s atmosphere, which bends the sun’s light, making it appear higher or lower in the sky than its actual position. The apparent location is important for calculating your sunrise/sunset, the angle titlt from the horizon, and the compass pointing of any celestial object.
Actual Location:
The actual location of the sun is its true position in the sky, unaffected by atmospheric refraction or the observer’s location. This location is determined by the sun’s coordinates in the celestial sphere, which is an imaginary sphere surrounding the Earth. The actual location of the sun is defined by its right ascension (RA) and declination (DEC), which are similar to longitude and latitude on Earth. The actual location of the sun is important for various astronomical applications, such as calculating the timing of solar eclipses, planetary positions, and the sun’s distance from the Earth.
