1. What is a Summer Solstice Daylight Hours Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the number of daylight hours during the summer solstice at a given latitude in the UK.

Purpose: It helps astronomers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts plan activities based on daylight availability.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Hours} \) — Daylight duration (hours)
• \( \text{Latitude} \) — Geographic latitude (degrees)
• \( 23.44 \) — Earth's axial tilt in degrees

Explanation: The formula calculates the sun's path relative to the horizon at a given latitude during solstice.

3. Importance of Daylight Calculation

Details: Knowing daylight hours helps in planning outdoor activities, agricultural operations, and energy usage estimation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your UK latitude in degrees (default 51.5° for London). Valid range is -90° to 90°.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why 23.44 degrees in the formula?
A: This represents Earth's axial tilt relative to its orbital plane, which causes seasons.

Q2: What's the typical latitude range for the UK?
A: UK latitudes range from about 49.9°N (Channel Islands) to 60.8°N (Shetland Islands).

Q3: Does this account for twilight?
A: No, this calculates only full daylight hours between sunrise and sunset.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical maximum daylight; atmospheric conditions may affect actual daylight.

Q5: Can I use this for other dates?
A: This is specifically for summer solstice (around June 21). Other dates require different calculations.