Monthly sunrise and sunset azimuths
Azimuth is measured clockwise from true north. Calculated for 2026.
| Date | New York sunrise | New York sunset | London sunrise | London sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 20 (equinox) | 89° | 271° | 89° | 271° |
| Apr 15 | 76° | 284° | 73° | 287° |
| May 15 | 64° | 296° | 58° | 303° |
| Jun 21 (solstice) | 58° | 302° | 49° | 311° |
| Aug 15 | 71° | 289° | 66° | 294° |
| Sep 23 (equinox) | 90° | 270° | 89° | 271° |
| Oct 15 | 101° | 259° | 103° | 257° |
| Nov 15 | 114° | 246° | 120° | 240° |
| Dec 21 (solstice) | 121° | 239° | 128° | 232° |
Why it moves
Earth’s axis is tilted about 23.4°, so the sun’s daily path shifts north and south through the year. In summer it rises in the north-east, climbs high and sets in the north-west; in winter it rises in the south-east, stays low and sets in the south-west. The further from the equator, the wider the swing, which is why London’s range is bigger than New York’s.
Finding it with a compass
The table uses true north; a phone compass reads magnetic north. Subtract your declination from the table value to get the compass number.
| Table (true) | Phone compass in New York (declination -12.5°) | Phone compass in London (+1.2°) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| June sunrise | NY 58° / London 49° | about 70° | about 48° |
| December sunrise | NY 121° / London 128° | about 133° | about 127° |
| June sunset | NY 302° / London 311° | about 314° | about 310° |
Lining it up in Compass Camera
The Android app "Compass Camera" calculates today’s sun and moon bearings for you, so you don’t need a table. Sun and Moon unlocks after one short ad.
Set the sunrise bearing as your target
Turn on Sun & Moon and choose your area to see today’s sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset times and bearings, plus morning and evening golden hour. Tap "Set as target bearing" next to a bearing to make it your target. The value already accounts for declination, so it matches the on-screen compass.
Frame where "Aligned" appears
Scout the day before: turn until the green "Aligned" appears and see what sits in that direction. Tolerance can be set from ±1° to ±30°. With Auto capture on, it shoots the moment you are aligned.
FAQ
What about cities further south?
Closer to the equator the seasonal swing shrinks. Change the city in the app and it recalculates for that place.
Why does the sun appear later than the listed sunrise at the beach?
Low cloud or haze on the horizon often hides the sun for a few minutes after it technically rises. The direction stays the same, so set up on it in advance.
Compass Camera
No sign-up, no location permission, and your photos stay on your phone. Free on Android.