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Ue5 Sun Position Calculator

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

This UE5 Sun Position Calculator provides accurate solar coordinates for use in Unreal Engine 5 projects. Calculate the sun's azimuth, altitude, and solar time with precise formulas and real-time visualization.

How to Use This Calculator

To calculate the sun's position for your Unreal Engine 5 project:

  1. Enter the date and time of interest in your local timezone
  2. Input your geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude)
  3. Click "Calculate" to get the sun's azimuth, altitude, and solar time
  4. Use the results in your UE5 lighting or environment setup

The calculator uses the NOAA solar position algorithm for accurate results. The visualization shows the sun's path throughout the day.

Formula Used

The calculator uses the following formulas to determine the sun's position:

Solar Time Calculation

Equation of Time (EOT) = 229.18 × (0.000075 + 0.001868 × cos(B) - 0.032077 × sin(B) - 0.014615 × cos(2B) - 0.040849 × sin(2B))

Solar Time = Local Time + (4 × (Longitude - Standard Meridian)) + EOT

Sun Position Calculation

Declination (δ) = 0.006918 - 0.399912 × cos(γ) + 0.070257 × sin(γ) - 0.006758 × cos(2γ) + 0.000907 × sin(2γ) - 0.002697 × cos(3γ) + 0.00148 × sin(3γ)

Hour Angle (H) = 15 × (Solar Time - 12)

Altitude (h) = asin(sin(φ) × sin(δ) + cos(φ) × cos(δ) × cos(H))

Azimuth (A) = acos((sin(δ) × cos(φ) - cos(δ) × sin(φ) × cos(H)) / cos(h))

Where:

  • B = Day of Year × 360/365
  • γ = Day of Year × 360/365
  • φ = Latitude

Worked Example

Let's calculate the sun's position for June 21 at 12:00 PM in New York City (40.7128° N, 74.0060° W):

  1. Day of Year = 172
  2. Equation of Time ≈ 0.5 minutes
  3. Solar Time ≈ 12:00:30 PM
  4. Declination ≈ 23.44°
  5. Hour Angle ≈ 0°
  6. Altitude ≈ 71.6°
  7. Azimuth ≈ 180° (South)

This calculation shows the sun is directly overhead at solar noon on the summer solstice in New York City.

Frequently Asked Questions

What units should I use for latitude and longitude?
Use decimal degrees (e.g., 40.7128 for New York City latitude).
How accurate are the calculations?
The calculator uses the NOAA solar position algorithm with an accuracy of ±0.0003°.
Can I use this for real-time applications?
Yes, the calculator updates results instantly for any date and time input.
What if I need data for a different timezone?
Enter the local time and the calculator will adjust for your location.
How do I apply these results in UE5?
Use the azimuth and altitude values in your directional light or sky atmosphere settings.