Sunset Times In Angola: When Does The Sun Go Down?

The sun sets at different times depending on where you are in the world. In Angola, the sun sets at different times throughout the year, but the times do not differ significantly. On August 8, the sun set at 18:07 in Luanda, the capital of Angola.

Sunset times in Luanda, Angola

In Luanda, the sun sets much quicker than in the northern USA or central Europe, taking only an average of 24 minutes. The sunset duration is determined by the distance from the equator, as the farther a country is from the equator, the more oblique the sun's path is to the horizon.

The earliest sunset in Luanda typically occurs around 25 or 26 May. The sun sets at its zenith, or highest point, on 26 February and 16 October. On these dates, the sun shines directly overhead at noon, passing through the zenith and creating the shortest shadow of the year.

The sunset times in Luanda, Angola, are important for photographers and stargazers, as well as anyone who appreciates the beauty of the golden hour.

Angola's proximity to the equator

Angola is a country located in the southern region of Central Africa. It is officially known as the Republic of Angola and is the seventh-largest country in Africa. Angola is situated south of the equator, in the southern hemisphere, and its territory is bordered by the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Namibia. The country has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Being located south of the equator means that Angola is in a unique position in terms of its proximity to the sun. The sun's path in the sky is influenced by the Earth's position relative to the sun, and this changes throughout the year due to the Earth's tilt on its axis. As Angola is close to the equator, the sun does not vary as extremely in its path as it does for countries farther away from the equator. This results in less variation in the duration of daylight throughout the year.

The sun swings north in the middle of the year and south at the turn of the year, without moving too far away from the equator. This means that the difference in the time of sunrise and sunset between the summer and winter seasons is not as pronounced as in countries farther away from the equator, such as Canada or Norway. In Angola, the longest days occur in December, with up to approximately 12 hours and 40 minutes of daylight. On the other hand, in June, a night in Luanda, the capital city, can last almost 13 hours.

The proximity to the equator also affects the angle at which the sun shines. In Luanda, which is located at 9 degrees south latitude, the sun shines with a higher intensity at midday than in locations farther from the equator. The sun reaches its highest point in the sky, or zenith, at 57.7 degrees above the northern horizon during the winter solstice on June 21st. In comparison, in New York City, the sun only reaches a maximum angle of 73 degrees during the summer.

The climate of Angola is also influenced by its proximity to the equator. The country experiences a tropical climate with a marked dry season. The seasonal movements of the intertropical convergence zone, a belt of low pressure where the trade winds meet, play a significant role in determining rainfall patterns. The amount of rainfall decreases rapidly from north to south and in proximity to the coast. The Maiombe forest in the north of the country receives the highest rainfall, while the southern coast receives the least.

The length of daylight in Angola

Angola is located close to the equator, which means that the length of daylight in the country remains fairly consistent throughout the year. On 8 August 2024, the sun rose at 6:18 and set at 18:07 in the country's capital, Luanda (these times may vary slightly in other Angolan cities). This equates to a daylight duration of approximately 11 hours and 49 minutes.

The longest days in Angola occur in December, with daylight lasting for up to 12 hours and 40 minutes. In June, the days are shorter, with only around 3 hours of sunshine per day. However, even during this month, daylight can last for up to 11 hours and 39 minutes.

The proximity to the equator also means that the sun is much higher in the sky at midday than it is in countries further away from the equator, resulting in high-intensity sunshine. On 21 June, the winter solstice, the sun reaches its smallest angle above the horizon, sitting at only 57.7 degrees above the northern horizon at its zenith in Luanda.

Angola does not observe Daylight Saving Time, remaining on West Africa Time (WAT) or UTC+01:00 year-round.

The sun's path in Angola

On 8 August, the sun rose in Luanda, Angola's capital, at 6:18 and set at 18:07. This gives the city approximately 12 hours of daylight. The longest days occur in December, with up to 12 hours and 40 minutes of daylight, while June has the shortest days, with a duration of around 3 hours of sunlight in Luanda.

Angola's position close to the equator results in a more direct angle of sunlight, leading to higher sun intensity. The sun's angle is at its smallest during the winter solstice on June 21st, reaching only 57.7 degrees above the northern horizon at its zenith. In contrast, cities far from the equator, like New York, experience a more oblique sun path, with the sun reaching an angle of 73 degrees during summer.

Luanda, located at 9 degrees south latitude, lies between the tropics. The sun's position oscillates between the northern and southern tropics annually. On June 21st, the sun is perpendicular above the northern tropic, while on December 21st, it is directly over the southern tropic. Twice a year, on February 26th and October 16th, the sun shines vertically overhead in Luanda.

The sun's zenith in Angola

The sun's zenith, or highest point, in Angola is reached during the middle of the day. As the country is located close to the equator, the sun's rays are more direct and intense, and the sun appears much higher in the sky at midday than in countries farther from the equator, such as in New York. This results in shorter sunrise and sunset durations in Angola, averaging only 24 minutes, compared to nearly an hour in the northern USA.

Angola's proximity to the equator also means that the times of sunrise and sunset do not vary significantly throughout the year. The sun follows a more consistent path, swinging north in the middle of the year and south at the turn of the year, without straying too far from the equator. This is in contrast to countries like Canada or Norway, where the differences in daylight duration between summer and winter are much more pronounced.

In Luanda, the capital of Angola, the sun can rise as early as 6:18 and set as early as 18:07, resulting in approximately 12 hours of daylight. The longest days occur in December, with up to 12 hours and 40 minutes of daylight, while June sees the shortest days, with a duration of around 3 hours of sunlight in Luanda.

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