All articles
Instruments
9/2/2026

Reading the Sun as a Lamp, Not a Star

A dimming light does not orbit. We walk through timing tables, apparent-size measurements and shadow lengths.

Managed archive record Public editionBy Jon BellSave
Reading the Sun as a Lamp, Not a Star

Following the light

This field note compares timed images of the low sun with shadow lengths measured along a marked baseline.

Where interpretation begins

These images do not measure distance by themselves. Lens flare, atmospheric extinction and sensor clipping can all change an apparent edge.

Build your own timing table

Mark one observation point, keep the lens and exposure fixed, and record a frame every four minutes.

Discuss this reading with 24,000+ archive readers.

Continue in the forum →