Latitude & Daylight at Reykjavík

Reykjavík sits at latitude 64.1°. At this latitude, daylight varies from approximately 20.5h in summer (solstice) to 20.5h in winter — a seasonal swing of 0.0h. The sun reaches a maximum altitude of 49.3° at summer solstice and a minimum of 2.4° at winter solstice. This polar profile is what shapes Reykjavík's unique sunrise, sunset, and golden hour patterns year-round.

Reykjavik liegt direkt im Pfad der totalen Sonnenfinsternis vom 12. August 2026 — eine von nur zwei Hauptstädten (neben Nuuk, Grönland) auf der Zentrallinie. Auf 64,1°N hängt die verfinsterte Sonne um etwa 17:30 UTC tief am Himmel — eine seltene Gelegenheit, eine Sonnenfinsternis vor Islands Vulkanlandschaft unter der ewigen Sommerdämmerung zu fotografieren.

Golden Hour Photography at Reykjavík

Golden hour at Reykjavík occurs when the sun sits between −4° and 6° above the horizon, producing soft, warm, directional light ideal for portrait and landscape photography. At Reykjavík's latitude, morning golden hour typically starts in the hours after sunrise (when sun rises) and lasts approximately 60–90+ minutes. Evening golden hour mirrors this before sunset. The longer twilight at this latitude gives photographers more time to capture the 'magic hour' compared to equatorial locations where the sun sets more steeply.

Auf 64,1°N ist Reykjavik die nördlichste Hauptstadt der Welt und erlebt von Ende Mai bis Anfang August die Mitternachtssonne, wobei die bürgerliche Dämmerung um die Juni-Sonnenwende die ganze Nacht anhält. Diese extreme Breite erzeugt die längsten sommerlichen Goldenen Stunden der Erde — bis zu 3 Stunden weiches, bernsteinfarbenes Licht, während die Sonne den Horizont entlangstreift, ohne vollständig unterzugehen.

UV Exposure & Sun Safety at Reykjavík

UV radiation at Reykjavík peaks when the sun is highest in the sky — around solar noon. At 64.1° latitude, peak UV levels vary significantly by season: summer months see UV indices of 2–4 (low-moderate), while winter months typically register 0 (none). The World Health Organization recommends sun protection when UV index exceeds 3. At Reykjavík's latitude, this threshold is exceeded for approximately 2–4 months per year, making sun awareness a year-round consideration for outdoor workers and athletes.

How We Calculate Solar Data for Reykjavík

All solar calculations for Reykjavík use the Jean Meeus Chapter 25 solar position algorithm with bisection iteration, accurate to ±1 minute for dates between 1901–2099. Sunrise and sunset times define the moment the upper limb of the sun appears on the horizon, accounting for atmospheric refraction. Daily data is calculated client-side from Reykjavík's coordinates (64.1°, -21.9°) — zero server processing means your location data never leaves your device.