weather-SunPosition

SunPosition provides a variety of solar calculations, and is found on the weather palette along with a similar MoonPosition component. From the palette, copy (drag and drop) the SunPosition component into any station location.

NOTE: Like the MoonPosition component, but unlike other weather components, SunPosition does not require the station host to have the WeatherService, nor to have Internet connectivity. Output calculations are mathematically derived and executed solely within the station. Usage applies to any geographic location, and not just the U.S. or North America.

Figure 28. Example SunPosition copied into station

To use, enter Longitude and Latitude values in decimal degrees (that is, both minutes and seconds in decimal format) into the SunPosition component, and Save.

NOTE: At the time of this document, an online converter for going from degrees, minutes, seconds, to decimal degrees can be found at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html

Based on these values, along with the station’s date and time, solar calculations are available in SunPosition properties. Unlike the MoonPosition component, there is no special (iconic) view for SunPosition.

NOTE: If using the WeatherService and NwsWeatherProvider, to simplify setup, copy it under the Provider of a WeatherReport. This lets you easily copy its longitude and latitude values, or you can enter the values manually.

In addition to properties below, SunPosition has an available Recalculate action, to immediately recalculate all read-only properties.

Figure 29. SunPosition property sheet

A SunPosition component has the following properties:

Name	Value	Description
Enabled	`true` (default) or `false`	Activates (`true`) and deactivates (`false`) use of the object (network, device, point, component, table, schedule, descriptor, etc.).
Update Period	`00000h 01m 00s`, (default)	Configures the interval at which ongoing calculations are made, reflected in the properties below.
Longitude	degrees	Configures the geographical longitude of the target location in decimal degrees (both minutes and seconds in decimal format). NOTE: Values for latitude and longitude are useful if you are using a SunPosition component for this location. You must enter them in the corresponding properties of that component.
Latitude	degrees	Configures the geographical latitude of the target location in decimal degrees (both minutes and seconds in decimal format). NOTE: An online converter for going from degrees, minutes, and seconds, to decimal degrees can be found at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html (at this document time).
Day Length	read-only	Displays the number of hours between sunrise and sunset as a decimal value.
Sunrise	read-only	Displays the timestamp for sunrise, in Baja Time format.
Sunset	read-only	Displays the timestamp for sunset, in Baja Time format.
Noon	read-only	Displays a timestamp for the calculated astronomical noon (when the sun is at its highest point for the day), in Baja Time format.
Midnight	read-only	Displays a timestamp for the calculated astronomical midnight for the current day at the specified location, at this time the sun's elevation is at it's minimum, in Baja Time format.
Max Elevation	read-only	Displays the maximum sun elevation for the specified day, the maximum occurs at astronomical noon.
Min Elevation	read-only	Displays the minimum sun elevation for the specified day, the minimum occurs at astronomical midnight.
Current Elevation	read-only	Displays the angle in degrees between the current position of the sun and the true horizon.
Current Azimuth	read-only	Displays the direction of the sun in degrees relative to true north.
Current Declination	read-only	Displays the angle between the sun and the earth's equator. The sun has zero declination during the equinoxes while crossing the equator. At the winter solstice, the declination is at it’s minimum of -23.5 and at the summer solstice it is at it’s maximum of +23.5.
Current Right Ascension	read-only	Displays the position of the sun along the celestial equator, with zero being at the 'first point of Aries'.