Tools / Everyday
Where is the sun
A car parked in the sun becomes an oven. Type when you'll be back and see which way the shade will fall then and how long it is, so you park behind the right building or tree. And before you rent: which room gets the afternoon sun in summer, and which side stays cool. Precise astronomical calculation for your location, on your device.
Your file never leaves your device — everything runs in your browser
How to use it
- Set your location (or pick the emirate).
- Parking: type when you'll be back and see the shade direction and length then — park with the building or tree between you and the sun.
- Home: pick the window's or facade's direction and see the hours the sun comes in, summer and winter, and compare all eight directions.
Questions
How do I read «shade towards north-east»?
The shade stretches from the building towards the north-east. To be in shade at 4 pm, park on the north-east side of the building or tree, closer than the shade length shown.
Why is the west side so hot in summer?
Afternoon sun in the UAE comes from the west and north-west at a low angle, straight into west-facing windows from noon until sunset in the hottest hours. A north-facing side gets almost no direct sun except a little in summer.
How accurate is it?
The sun's position is computed with standard astronomical formulas to better than a degree. What we don't know is the height and shape of the buildings around you — hence a direction and a shadow length per metre of height.
Does it need internet?
The map for picking a location does; the calculation itself runs on your device.
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