albany_sunrise_sunset_day_of_year.png

albany_sunlight_length_day_of_year.png

Sunrise and sunset times via US Naval Observatory.

When the sun goes down

andy woodruff map sunsets after 5 pm

The number of days places have with sunsets after 5 pm under the current standard time/daylight savings time arrangement. / map: Andy Woodruff

Check out this map: It depicts how many days out of the year with sunsets after 5 pm in each place around the United States. It was created by cartographer Andy Woodruff as part of a look at how standard time and daylight savings time affects sunrise and sunset times around the country. Woodruff built interactive maps to depict differences if the country just stayed on standard time all the time -- or went with daylight savings time all the time. (It'll make sense when you see it.) Head on over and click about. [via CityLab]

We're coming up on the shortest daylight day of the year -- it's December 21, the winter solstice (as you know). But if you're anything like us, it's the early sunsets that are kind of gloom inducing. And the earliest sunsets of the year are just about a week away -- December 7-10 -- 4:21 pm.

To illustrate the how the length of sunlight expands and contracts through out the year here, we pulled together a few graphs. Have a look -- they're after the jump.


Graphs are above in large format -- click or scroll all the way up.

Comments


The map really points out how, if it were really all about maximizing daylight, the timezones should be set on NW to SE lines rather than pure North/South lines.

And what about all those odd counties in Indiana? :)

I have always considered December 21st the beginning of winter's death rather than it's birth.

This is fun and reminds me of something I saw this summer.

There was an interesting study that came out that looked at the impact of sunset timing and wages (Gibson and Shrader). They compared cities that were on two opposite sides of a time zone line. So in these spots sunrise would be at 7 am for some and 6am for others. The people who live on a eastern edge of a time zone (Portland), get more sleep, get to work earlier, and are more productive. Those on the western edge (Ann Arbor) of a time zone are battling circadian rhythms, get less sleep, and are less productive. The authors estimate that people on the eastern edge will earn 4.5% in wages over their lifetime than people on the western edge.

A freakonomics podcast did a nice summary of the paper and other economics of sleep issues.

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine