SUN ANGLES ANNUAL VARIATION AT SANTA MARTA LATITUDE AND ITS LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE

Abstract

Annual changes on the sun’s apparent bearing (azimuth) and on its relative height on the sky, expressed as Altitude and Declination for Santa Marta’s Latitude, are analyzed. Observed azimuth data did not differ signicantly from those calculated. Local daylight duration in minutes was also computed. The parameters for a predictive model as a function of the day’s number and their C.I. at 95 % are estimated. Because of its mountainous topography, the Santa Marta region shows areas where sunlight availability changes throughout the year due to their northern or southern location of promontories and to the respective solar angles. Implications for local living communities are discussed.