Belarus Sunset Times: When Does The Sun Set?

Belarus currently observes Moscow Standard Time (MSK) all year round, and it does not utilise Daylight Saving Time (DST). On Monday, November 11, 2024, the sun will set in Belarus at 5:30 pm. On Monday, May 27, 2024, the sun will set at 9:18 pm.

Sunset times in Belarus's capital, Minsk

Belarus observes Moscow Standard Time (MSK) and does not currently recognise Daylight Saving Time. As such, sunset times in the capital city of Minsk can vary. In May, the sun sets at 9:18 pm, whereas in November, the sun sets much earlier at 5:30 pm.

Sunset is defined as the point at which the trailing edge of the sun's disk disappears below the horizon. The time of sunset is influenced by the Earth's position in relation to the sun, the tilt of the Earth's axis, and the Earth's movement around the sun. Due to the Earth's spherical shape and atmospheric conditions, the sun's rays are refracted, or bent, as they enter the atmosphere, which causes the sun to appear above the horizon even when it is actually below it. This phenomenon is known as atmospheric refraction and results in a later sunset time than would otherwise be observed.

The time of sunset also depends on one's location, with variations occurring across different latitudes and longitudes. The Earth's rotation causes the sun to rise in the east and set in the west, and the duration of daylight varies with the seasons due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. During the summer months in Belarus, the days are longer, resulting in later sunset times, while in winter, the days are shorter, leading to earlier sunsets.

Sunset holds cultural and symbolic significance in many societies. It marks the transition from day to night, signalling the end of the workday and the beginning of evening activities. Sunset is often associated with relaxation, leisure, and spending time with loved ones. It provides a sense of closure to the day and offers a chance to appreciate the beauty of nature as the sky is painted with hues of orange, pink, and purple.

Belarus's time zone

Belarus is located in Eastern Europe and follows Moscow Standard Time (MSK) throughout the year. MSK is three hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and is also known as UTC/GMT +3 hours.

Belarus does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). This means that Belarussian clocks do not change throughout the year, unlike many locations in Europe and North America, which adjust their clocks by one hour in spring and autumn. Belarus discontinued the use of DST in 2010, after having observed it for 33 years between 1941 and 2010.

As a result of not observing DST, Belarus experiences longer days in summer and shorter days in winter compared to locations that do adjust their clocks. This can be observed through the sunrise and sunset times in the capital, Minsk. In May, the sun can rise as early as 4:53 am and set as late as 9:18 pm, resulting in over 16 hours of daylight. In November, however, the sun rises around 8:36 am and sets as early as 5:30 pm, providing less than 9 hours of daylight.

The time zone in Belarus, MSK, is shared with several other countries and territories in the region, including Russia, which extends across two continents, and several countries in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region. This time zone is one hour ahead of Eastern European Time (EET), observed by many neighbouring countries in Europe, and eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in North America.

Belarus's daylight saving time

Belarus observes GMT/UTC + 3 hours. In September 2011, the Belarus government passed legislation to keep the country on Daylight Saving Time (DST) all year round. This means that Belarus does not change its clocks twice a year, unlike many other countries in Europe.

Prior to this change, Belarus followed the same DST schedule as other countries in Europe, moving clocks forward by one hour in spring and back by one hour in autumn. However, since the legislative change, Belarus has effectively shifted one hour ahead of its previous time zone.

The decision to abolish the biannual clock change was made to simplify timekeeping and bring Belarus in line with neighbouring Russia, which also observes permanent DST.

As a result of Belarus' year-round DST, sunrise and sunset times are shifted by about one hour compared to the previous winter schedule. This means that during the winter months, it will be lighter in the mornings but will get dark earlier in the evenings.

Sunset times in other locations in Belarus

Sunset times in Belarus vary depending on location and time of year. For example, in Minsk, the capital, the sun sets at 5:16 pm in November 2024. On the same day in other locations in Belarus, sunset times will differ. In the Vitebsk Region, sunset occurs earlier, while in the Brest District, sunset happens later. The moon phase also affects sunset times in Belarus, with the Waxing Gibbous moon resulting in slightly different sunset timings.

Sunset times in Belarus can be influenced by various factors, including the country's latitude and the time of year. The variation in sunset times across different locations in Belarus is due to the country's geographical expanse and the curvature of the Earth. The time of year also plays a significant role, with longer days in summer and shorter days in winter.

For instance, during the summer solstice in June, sunset times in Belarus can be as late as 9 pm or even later in the northernmost parts of the country. In contrast, during the winter solstice in December, sunset can occur as early as 3:30 pm, with the exact time depending on the specific location within Belarus.

Additionally, local geographical features can influence sunset times. For example, in mountainous regions or areas with tall buildings, the sun may set earlier due to obstruction by the landscape or structures. Sunset times can also be affected by weather conditions, with cloudy or hazy skies potentially causing the sun to disappear from view earlier than predicted.

It is important to note that sunset times in Belarus, as in other parts of the world, are not uniform across the country. The variation in sunset times between different locations in Belarus can be a few minutes to even half an hour or more, depending on the distance and direction from the capital, Minsk.

Astronomical twilight times in Belarus

Belarus experiences astronomical twilight, which is the darkest of the three twilight phases. During this phase, the geometric centre of the Sun's disk is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon. This phase is characterised by the appearance of objects silhouetted against the lit sky and is a popular time for photographers and painters, who refer to it as the "blue hour".

Astronomical twilight in Belarus occurs twice a day, every day of the year. This is because Belarus is located between 48.34° and 54.34° north, which is within the latitudinal range for daily astronomical twilight.

The duration of twilight depends on the latitude and time of year. At higher latitudes, such as in Belarus, the Sun's path makes a lower angle with the horizon, resulting in longer twilight phases.

Astronomical twilight is a good time to observe and photograph atmospheric phenomena such as the northern and southern lights. It is also a time when most stars and other celestial objects can be seen, although light pollution can make this difficult in urban areas.

In summary, astronomical twilight in Belarus is a distinct phase of twilight that occurs twice daily due to the country's latitude. It offers opportunities for astronomical observation and photography, contributing to our understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

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