Determining sunrise/set location via GPS

[Mike Keller]

Originally Posted by AndrewCassino

Ephemeris for Windows (e.g. a desktop or laptop) is also available free here:

Digital Light & Color

Click on the "Downloads" tab and scroll down to "Utility Programs"

Since I have a Palm, I Googled for software and found some interesting stuff:

http://davidbray.org/palm/riseset.html

[Doug_Kerr]

Hi, Curt,

Originally Posted by curtd

I would like to know what time and where on the horizon the sun will be rising and setting.

I don't know if your situation would make these usable, but there are plenty of on-line calculators. Her is one handy one:

NOAA Improved Sunrise/Sunset Calculation

There are also numerous such that run under the Palm O/S if that works out for your gear.

[Ronald Garrett]

I have used a 2010 Garmin GPS on my off shore boat for many years. It is accurate to 7.5 feet enywhere in the world. I have left sight of shore and run for an hour to set down on a boat wreck to fish. However if you are trying to find a place to take a picture of a sunrise / sunset, the GPS is only minimally effective. You need large expanses of treeless areas to do that. Five steps to the right or left is sometimes the secret to awsome pics. Times are available everywhere. TV weather report, local newspaper, etc and they are generally free.

Weather plays a big part too. Generally you will need some clouds to capture a good sunset image. You didn't say why you wanted to know, but I assume it's to photograph?

Late fall with clouds available has been the time I have gotten my best images around here.

[MrTissot]

Try this link. These are used extensively in UK. 7dayshop.com - Online Store

The beauty of these is if you happen to be out n about, see a prospective image that would fit sunrise/set, your compass will tell you the ideal time of year to return to the location. Likewise you can use directly on a map/chart and plan in advance.

Hope this helps.

[MrTissot]

Could one of you kind chaps advise on how to change my profile to reflect my real name please. Can't seem to find anything in the control panel.

Thanks.

[curtd]

I just installed SunPath, and application from Wide Screen Software. This seems easier than the NOAA site and is geared for shooters. I am mainly interested in where the sun will intersect with the horizon, but you can also predict where and when the sun will be anytime, anywhere.

sunPATH - The Sun Tracking Software

[Ronald Garrett]

Curt, I followed your link and have a lot of questions about the program. First of all the program needs a computer. It is not compatible with Vista. It says " a GPS is not needed". That makes it much more expensive than a GPS? Second it says it will help users calculate their location, I assume from some kind of address. How is that going to work if one is out in the woods? Somewhere in the Grand Canyon?

I could see where in some instances this program might help, but don't see it as a precise cureall?

Interested to hear your opinion after some use?