Sunrise & Sunset in Raleigh Today
Welcome to the definitive solar ephemeris for Raleigh (USA), situated at geographic coordinates 35.7796° N latitude and -78.6382° E longitude within the America/New_York timezone. Because Raleigh is positioned at subtropical coordinates, daylight duration fluctuates predictably throughout the solar year—reaching its maximum duration during the June solstice and its annual minimum near the December solstice.
All timestamps displayed below are computed using client-side spherical astronomy algorithms derived from the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Almanac 2024 and the NOAA Solar Calculator, accounting for standard 34-arcminute atmospheric refraction and 16-arcminute solar semidiameter at sea level.
Sunrise & Sunset in Raleigh, USA
US Naval Observatory (USNO) Astronomical Almanac 2024 p.C24 & NOAA Solar Model
7-Day Solar Forecast for Raleigh
Updated daily| Date | Sunrise | Solar Noon | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Thu, Aug 6Today | 10:25 AM | 05:20 AM | 12:14 AM | -11h -12m |
Fri, Aug 7 | 10:26 AM | 05:20 AM | 12:13 AM | -11h -13m |
Sat, Aug 8 | 10:27 AM | 05:19 AM | 12:12 AM | -11h -15m |
Sun, Aug 9 | 10:28 AM | 05:19 AM | 12:11 AM | -11h -17m |
Mon, Aug 10 | 10:29 AM | 05:19 AM | 12:10 AM | -11h -19m |
Tue, Aug 11 | 10:29 AM | 05:19 AM | 12:09 AM | -11h -21m |
Wed, Aug 12 | 10:30 AM | 05:19 AM | 12:07 AM | -11h -23m |
Explore Related Physics Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.What is the exact solar noon in Raleigh?
Solar noon in Raleigh occurs when the sun crosses the local celestial meridian (-78.64° E) and reaches its maximum angular elevation above the horizon. Because Raleigh operates on America/New_York, solar noon typically occurs around mid-day, adjusted for the seasonal Equation of Time.
Q2.How does atmospheric refraction affect sunrise and sunset in Raleigh?
At latitude 35.78°, standard atmospheric refraction lifts the apparent image of the solar disc by approximately 34 arcminutes (0.566°). Combined with the sun’s 16 arcminute semidiameter, official sunrise and sunset are calculated when the center of the true solar disc is 90°50′ from the zenith.
Q3.When are the golden hour shooting windows in Raleigh?
The morning golden hour begins at sunrise and lasts for approximately 60 minutes as the sun climbs to 6° solar elevation. The evening golden hour begins 60 minutes before sunset and concludes as the sun dips below the horizon, providing warm, diffused lighting ideal for outdoor photography.
skymotion20-20).Recommended Astronomy Optics & Field Guides
Hand-selected peer-reviewed literature, optical instruments, and mechanics resources verified by physics educator Traian Anghel.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with motorized StarPointer GoTo tracking for deep-sky observation.
Nikon Aculon A211 10x50 Binoculars
Multicoated Aspherical Eco-Glass lenses ideal for stargazing, twilight scanning, and lunar craters.
Turn Left at Orion (5th Edition)
By Guy Consolmagno & Dan M. Davis. The essential field manual for small telescope astronomers.
Related Physics Tools
View All CalculatorsPlanetary Free Fall Calculator
Calculate falling time and terminal impact speed in vacuum across Earth, Moon, and Mars gravity.
Vehicle Braking Distance Calculator
Analyze stopping distances, reaction delays, and asphalt friction across various speeds.
Golden Ratio Scale Solver
Explore natural divine proportions (1.618033...) and harmonic modular layout scales.