Solar Data
As a convenience, AvnWx.com calculates sunrise and sunset for each weather reporting station. This data is viewable in the Airport, METAR or TAF detailed window: Select an Airport, METAR, or TAF and the data is shown at the bottom of the pop-up window. Note the data is not shown in the window on just a mouse rollover, you must click on the symbol to view the data. (See Controls Help -- Info Windows to review the difference between rollover enabled versus rollover disabled popup Info Windows.)
Aircraft position lights are required to be used from sunset to sunrise (FAR Part 91.209)
By definition (FAR Part 1 Sec. 1.1 General definitions.) "Night" means the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the American Air Almanac. (As the almanac is no longer published, this definition is not particularly useful.) This time is used for Logging flight time. (FAR Part 61.51).
Recall that currency and passenger carrying requirements are based on no later than one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. (FAR Part 61.57b).
Solar data is accurate to within a few minutes, based on latitude/longitude of the station: It does not take into consideration elevation of the station or surrounding environment, so check local listings if you need to-the-minute accuracy.
Sunrises / sunsets change by only a few minutes day-to-day.
A strict reading of the Regulations imply the following.
| Sunset | 8:20 pm | • Aircraft Position Lights On • Airport Beacon & Lights On | |||
| Civil Twilight | 8:31 pm | Definition of Night for: • Training • Logging • VFR Night required equipment | |||
| Hour after Sunset | 9:20 pm | Cannot carry passengers without currency | |||
| Hour before Sunrise | 4:52 am | ||||
| Civil Twilight | 5:22 am | ||||
| Sunrise | 5:52 am | ||||
| Sunset | 8:20 pm | • Aircraft Position Lights On • Airport Beacon & Lights On • VFR Night required equipment | |||
| Civil Twilight | 8:31 pm | ||||
| Hour after Sunset | 9:20 pm | Cannot carry passengers without currency • Training • Logging | |||
| Hour before Sunrise | 4:52 am | ||||
| Civil Twilight | 5:22 am | ||||
| Sunrise | 5:52 am | ||||
We show:
| What | Definition | Practical result |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise/Sunset | The top edge of the sun is just at the horizon | Sun isn't visible, but it's still light. |
| Civil Twilight "Night" |
The middle of the sun is 6° below the horizon. (The sun itself is about 0.5° wide). | Brightest stars and planets visible, but outdoor activity still possible |
| Hour Past "Currency" |
One hour before sunrise, one hour after sunset | Darker sky, close to Nautical, horizon may still be discernable |
Lunar Data
Lunar data is also calculated, and shown with the Solar data.
Lunar data is accurate to within a few minutes, based on latitude/longitude of the station. Moon rise changes by about 45 minutes each day. For this reason, AvnWx.com calculates lunar events for today and tomorrow (and yesterday if applicable). If no time is listed for today or tomorrow, then the moon doesn't change that day (it either remains visible or under the horizon after midnight).
Lunar Phases
| Phase | Illumination | |
|---|---|---|
| New Moon | None |  |
| Waxing Crescent | <Half |  |
| First Quarter | Half |  |
| Waxing Gibbous | >Half |  |
| Full Moon | 100% |  |
| Waning Gibbous | >50% |  |
| Last Quarter | Half |  |
| Waning Crescent | <50% |  |
More information is available on the map's Forms and Controls, on the map's icons, and on the data sources.