As we enter March (with spring just in the air!), it’s normal to ask when it starts to get dark? After a long time in a tiny window of light, surely we’re getting out of the dark? In this post, we’ll discuss why it’s dark in winter, the time it takes to go dark after sun exposure, and when we can anticipate it to be darker over the next couple of weeks.
Understanding the time it takes to reach darkness is much more complex than you think, and it is based on several factors such as distance from the Equator and altitudes and the seasons.
What time are sunset and sunrise?
We all know that dawn or sunrise is when the sun rises, while dusk, or sunset, is when it sets.
What if we require an accurate date to use?
For astronomers working at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, for instance, knowing exactly which spot the Sun is located in the sky can help determine whether an astronomical event, in particular, can be observed.
In such situations, it is essential to be more explicit about the exact meaning of sunrise and dusk.
When will it be dark?
It seems that this problem isn’t that easy to answer given the coming changes in the sun that will occur in March.
At the beginning of the month, you can expect sunset at 5.45 pm before darkness ultimately settling at 7.15-7.30 pm.
The sunset after daylight savings will occur approximately 6.45 pm before darkness sets in roughly an hour and a half later.
When March Equinox is marked as the beginning of spring and the sun will be extended to the late evening. In reality, some Northern countries might not experience any darkness whatsoever during the summertime.
The Effect of Seasons On-Time to Darkness After Sunset
Any morning, and as we’ve observed, it takes longer to go dark depending on how far from the Equator.
Wherever you are, it is a little longer to fall asleep as we get closer to summer are. However, the difference isn’t significant with only a couple of minutes for the mainland USA.
The most significant impact of the summer dark is that when you live in a north place, there are times that there’s no “night” in any way.
Take Alaska as an example. In most June, the sun never gets lower than 6 degrees from the horizontal line. This means that it doesn’t get over the point of civil twilight. This means you can read all night long without needing an additional source of illumination!
Why is it that it is darker in winter?
If you remember, in science class, Our planet can be found in a more extensive system that revolves in the sun’s direction. We receive from this star vital energy and light. But, Earth has a tilted axis, meaning that a particular portion of the planet will be titled towards the sun while another is located away.
So the Earth receives different amounts of sunlight throughout the other seasons. This leads to the Northern Hemisphere receiving more sunshine and longer daylight hours in summer. In reverse, it’s the winter. This is why it’s colder due to lower solar radiation due to the sun’s contact.
How Long Does it Take to Darken After the Sunset?
In the end, it takes between 70-140 minutes to allow the Sun to pass 18o above the horizon and to reach its night-time phase. If you were closer to the Equator, the duration would be about 23 minutes.
If we examine figures for the March equinox, in which the time of day is identical for everyone, we’ll be able to see that when we are at the equator, it gets darker earlier than it does up north.
Quito, Ecuador – true night – 19:33 (+68 minutes)
Kansas, USA – true night – 21:02 (+90 minutes)
Anchorage Alaska, USA – true night – 22:53 (+155 minutes)
The process of determining the time of twilight for a particular area could be difficult; however, several websites and apps have been designed to aid. Therefore, before going out to watch the stars, you may want to consult one of the trustworthy sources that can provide you with precise timings of the ideal time to begin looking up at the sky.
For more information and assistance, visit the following websites.
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/uk/london
http://www.sunsettimes.co.uk/
https://lovethenightsky.com/how-long-after-sunset-is-it-dark/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k7204319-What_time_does_it_get_dark_at_the_moment-London_England.html
https://nineplanets.org/questions/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-dark-after-sunset/
https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/31/clocks-going-back-when-will-it-get-dark-tonight-15516032/
https://www.quora.com/How-long-after-sunset-does-it-get-dark-in-London
https://www.gooroo.com/blog/what-time-does-it-get-dark/
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/when-dawn-dusk-twilight
https://www.goodto.com/family/family-news/when-start-getting-lighter-in-the-mornings-evenings-uk-645623