The Sun Rises In The East & Sets In The West - But Does It?

This is a serious question that I hope our astronomy buffs (or anyone else) can answer.

The saying gives the impression that the sun travels 180 degrees through our view of the sky, but my rough observation of it seems to show otherwise.

The back of our house faces almost due south (the survey for solar panels showed that we're three degrees off due south) but, at this time of year, the sun is shining on the front of our house for about two hours each morning (possibly more if the trees weren't in the way). In the evening it appears to go below our horizon, of trees, roughly in line with our roof (I don't know if the sun would still hit our roof for any longer than that).

So, it seems to me that we get more than 180 degrees of sun in our sky.

This seems logical as we have daylight for much longer in the summer than we have in the winter - and I don't think we revolve at a slower pace in the summer!

Answers on a postcard please.

 

Thanks I think that answers everything.

 

I've just checked on that site and Shineyland gets 180 degrees of sunshine on the 19th March and the 24th September.

 

I reckon that would be the case, all down to the fact the earth is tilted at 23.4° - that's what gives us the seasons and why day lengths and observations such as Shiney's vary during the year.

 

Yes, John is correct . Equinox is March and September and solstice is June and December.