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Daytime
Period of a day in which a location experiences natural illumination From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Daytime or day as observed on Earth is the period of the day during which a given location experiences natural illumination from direct sunlight. Daytime occurs when the Sun appears above the local horizon, that is, anywhere on the globe's hemisphere facing the Sun. In direct sunlight the movement of the sun can be recorded and observed using a sundial that casts a shadow that slowly moves during the day. Other planets and natural satellites that rotate relative to a luminous primary body, such as a local star, also experience daytime, but this article primarily discusses daytime on Earth.

Very broadly, most humans tend to be awake during some of the daytime period at their location, and asleep during some of the night period.
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Characteristics
Approximately half of Earth is illuminated at any time by the Sun.[1]
Daytime length variations with latitude and seasons
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At the Equator
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2025) |
In the tropics
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Around the poles
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2025) |
At middle latitudes
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2025) |
An approximation to the monthly change can be obtained from the rule of twelfths.[2]
Variations in solar noon
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2025) |
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See also
Look up daytime in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
References
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