By Karl Wallulis • Updated March 24, 2022
During a solstice—occurring around December 21 and June 21 each year—the Earth’s axial tilt positions one hemisphere closer to the Sun while the other is farther away. The hemisphere farthest from the Sun experiences the winter solstice, when the Sun’s direct rays strike the Earth at an angle of 23.5° north of the equator. You can determine the Sun’s elevation at local noon on the winter solstice by following a few simple calculations based on your latitude.
Locate your city’s latitude using a reliable atlas or a reputable geographic website. For example, Cape Canaveral, Florida, sits at 28° 24′ 21″ N, roughly 28.4°.
Because the Sun’s rays strike the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere (or the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere) during the winter solstice, add 23.5° to your latitude. For Cape Canaveral, 28.4° + 23.5° = 51.9°.
Subtract the result from 90° to find the Sun’s elevation above the horizon at local noon. Using the example: 90° − 51.9° = 39.1°. Thus, the Sun rises to 39.1° above the horizon in Cape Canaveral on the winter solstice.
These calculations are grounded in the well‑documented 23.5° axial tilt of Earth, a figure widely cited by NASA and NOAA. They provide a quick, reliable way to understand how the Sun’s position changes with the seasons.
