Sunlit Design > InfoSearch > Geocentricity (Earth Centredness)
Index: A-D, E-R, S-Z
A
- Accuracy of Sundials
- A.D. Years
- Altitude, Solar
- Angle above Horizon, Solar
- Apparent Time
- "Astronomical Algorithms"
- Astronomical Calculations, Time Basis of
- Azimuth, Solar
- Daylight Saving Time
- Declination, Solar
- Degrees, Minutes and Seconds
- Degrees of Rotation
- Dynamical Time
Geocentricity (Earth Centredness)
For the observer on the earth, the sun "moves" with respect to the earth with both daily and annual cycles. The advances in models of the solar system made by Copernicus in 1543 not withstanding, this geocentric view of the motion of the sun is very useful in out daily lives.Since Copernicus, scientists have known that the earth orbits the sun. Because of this, it is more natural to describe the earth's motion in a heliocentric (Sun Centred) coordinate system.
However, if we use the Earth as our fixed reference point, we can talk about 'sunrise', 'sunset' and the sun's daily motion across the sky.
Calculate it!
The Sun API provides many functions to calculate the position of the sun with respect to a point on the surface of the earth.