Daylight Saving Time Dates

Starting in 2007, daylight time begins in North America on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. On the second Sunday in March, clocks are set ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. local standard time, which becomes 3:00 a.m. local daylight time. On the first Sunday in November, clocks are set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time.

 

Not all places in the U.S. observe daylight time. In particular, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not use it. Indiana adopted its use beginning in 2006. In Canada, most of Saskatchewan, parts of Quebec, and Southampton Island in Nunavut do not observe daylight time.

 

Year   DST Begin    DST End

2007    March 11      November 4
2008    March 9        November 2
2009    March 8        November 1
2010    March 14      November 7
2011    March 13      November 6
2012    March 11      November 4
2013    March 10      November 3
2014    March 9        November 2
2015    March 8        November 1

Cheers, Ralph

Source: USNO and National Research Council Canada

Daylight Saving Time 2012 Ends

For those of you in North American jurisdictions that observe Daylight Saving Time, don't forget to 'fall back' your clocks one hour before bedtime on Saturday night, November 3rd. Official time change back to Standard Time occurs at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 4th.

 

At least the mornings won't be so dark anymore!

We 'spring ahead' to Daylight Time again on March 10th next year.

Cheers, Ralph

Sun Glare While Driving - Photo Examples

Photographic examples of the effects of 

sun glare while driving.

Material re-printed from our web site at 

http://www.sunposition.com/samples/sun_glare_driving.html

(all photos taken by Ralph Bouwmeester)

Notes:

•  These samples were taken with sun altitudes between 2 and 7 degrees. 
•   In these photos, the camera automatically reduced the intensity of the sun's glare.  Actual intensities were much greater, to the point of causing eye watering.
•    Note how difficult it is to see into the shadows (Figs 1 and 2).
•    Note how quickly visibility can deteriorate (Fig 2).
•    Note how road grade can change the effective height of the sun (Fig 3).
•    Note what can NOT be seen when the sun is close to one's line of sight (Fig 4).
  
  
  
  FIG 1 - Bright sun / Dark shadows
  (Sun at about 7 degrees above horizon)
  
  
  Note darkness of shadows.  

  ---

  
  FIG 2 - Sudden change in visibility conditions
  (Sun at about 6.5 degrees above horizon)
  
  
  Note darkness of shadows.  School on left, crosswalk ahead, 
  and intersecting street on right.  
  Note how relatively good visibility can deteriorate in a matter of seconds 
  (4 seconds between photos in this example).

  ---

  
  FIG 3 - Sun appears lower due to climbing road grade
  (Sun at 3.5 degree altitude (apparent height is less))
  
  
  Note how apparent height of sun is reduced by climbing road grade.

  ---

  
  FIG 4 - Sun glare obscures important objects
  (Sun at about 2 degrees above horizon)
  
  

  Note what is NOT visible in this photo...	...an approaching ambulance turning left....
  ...and a Stop Sign!!

  Cheers, Ralph

  
  

London 2012 Olympics - Sunrise/Sunset Times

To help you plan your London 2012 experience, we have posted sunrise and sunset tables for the Olympics and Paralympics venues.

http://www.sunposition.com/olympics/london2012/london2012_sunrise_sunset.html

OR

http://bit.ly/NJv9E8

Cheers, Ralph

July 2012 Sunrise/Sunset Tables

July 2012 sunrise/sunset tables for select cities in Canada, the US, the Middle East, Haiti and Japan have been posted. The tables include the times of rise and set as well as the time of solar noon and the total number of sunlight hours for each day of the month. Sun directions at rise and set are available upon request.

If your location is not one of the samples, contact us for a free table for your location for this month.

Visit http://www.sunposition.com/tables.html to view and print our samples or to order your location-specific table.

Cheers, Ralph

April 2012 Sunrise/Sunset Times

Our April 2012 sunrise/sunset tables have been posted at http://www.sunposition.com/tables.html

Cheers, Ralph

Time Change and Driving

Drivers, please be extra cautious after the time change this weekend (2:00 am, March 11, 2012).  Studies suggest that the increase in crashes after a time change are due to the effect that the change has on our body clocks.  While that may be true, I believe an overlooked factor involves the position of the sun.  For example, after a time change, the sun just isn't where you were used to it being on your drive to or from work.  Don't be caught off guard taking a corner or rounding a curve.  Anticipate!!

I am curious to know what the statistics say. For example, after a time change, are the increased number of crashes occuring primarily 1) during daylight hours, 2) in sunny conditions, and 3) during early morning and/or late day hours?

Since the change in sun position is more noticeable at low sun angles, I suspect the change has more of an effect early in the morning and late in the day - during key commute times!

So commuters especially, please be extra cautious if your drive occurs during the first or last hour of daylight.  That's when the sun is most likely to be below your roof line and most likely to interfere with your ability to see the things you need to see such as traffic lights, stop signs, and objects on the road like pedestrians, cyclists, bikers and other vehicles.

Plan ahead.  Have a good pair of sunglasses (polarized) within easy reach and make sure you keep your visor clear (i.e. get rid of the papers, gas receipts and CD's) so you can actually use the visor for its intended use.

Have a quick look in your local paper to see when sunrise and sunset are next week.  Then, make a mental note of when that first and last hour of daylight occur.  If you expect to be driving during either of those periods, be prepared.

E-mail me directly (tables@sunposition.com) if you need sunrise/sunset times for your location.

Cheers, Ralph

Daylight Saving Time 2012

For those of you in North American jurisdictions that observe Daylight Saving Time, don't forget to 'spring' your clocks ahead one hour before bedtime on Saturday night, March 10th.  Official time change occurs at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 11th.

We 'fall' back to Standard Time this year on November 4th.

Cheers, Ralph

March 2012 Sunrise/Sunset Times

March 2012 sunrise/sunset tables for select cities in Canada, the US, the Middle East, Haiti and Japan have been posted. The tables include the times of rise and set as well as the time of solar noon and the total number of daylight hours for each day of the month. Sun directions at rise and set are available upon request.

If your location is not one of the samples, contact us for a free table for your location for this month.

Visit http://www.sunposition.com/tables.html to view and print our samples or to order your location-specific table.

Cheers, Ralph

London 2012 Sunrise Sunset Times

Free sunrise/sunset tables are available for those of you who plan to visit the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Cities include London, Manchester, Glascow and Cardiff.

Cheers, Ralph

February 2012 Sunrise/Sunset Tables

February 2012 sunrise/sunset tables for select cities in Canada, the US, the Middle East, Haiti and Japan have been posted. The tables include the times of rise and set as well as the time of solar noon and the total number of daylight hours for each day of the month. Sun directions at rise and set are available upon request.

If your location is not one of the samples, contact us for a free table for your location for this month.

Visit http://www.sunposition.com/tables.html to view and print our samples or to order your location-specific table.

Cheers, Ralph