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This free tool shows you where the Sun will be in the sky at your site throughout the day and year. Hold the tool at arm's length and move it across the sky from east to west in the direction indicated by the tool. The figure-8 calendar (analemma) shows you the exact solar position for each day of the year.
Use a compass or local map to find the east compass point. While holding the tool at arm's length and at eye level, align the center to the east compass point, and make the SUNRISE line coincide with the eastern horizon, level with the ground.
The CENTER of the tool is now aligned to the all-year AVERAGE position of the Sun at 6 AM, while the analemma shows you the EXACT solar position at 6 AM for each day of the year. The exact position is below the horizon in winter or above the horizon in summer. If you actually do this at 6 AM, the little circle at today's date coincides with the actual Sun position.
To find out where the Sun will be at 7 AM, move the tool in the direction of the red arrow by one arrow-length. Repeat as needed for 8 AM, 9 AM, and so on. Keep the tool at arm's length and turn your whole body to follow its motion.
At 12 noon, the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky, and the tool is positioned vertically, high above the southern horizon.
At 6 PM, you reach the western horizon, with the center of the tool on the western compass point and the SUNSET line coinciding with the western horizon.
To predict solar positions late in the day and in the evening, you can start from this 6PM SUNSET alignment, and move forward or backward from there, one hour at a time.
NOTE: Add one hour to the above times if Daylight Savings Time is in effect.
To get this tool for free, go to the website:
ataridogdaze.com/science/heli...
where you'll find instructions for printing and assembling it. You will need to customize the SUNRISE and SUNSET lines for your geographic latitude, as explained in the website.