Latitude & Daylight at Seoul

Seoul sits at latitude 37.6°. At this latitude, daylight varies from approximately 14.6h in summer (solstice) to 14.6h in winter — a seasonal swing of 0.0h. The sun reaches a maximum altitude of 75.9° at summer solstice and a minimum of 29.0° at winter solstice. This mid-latitude profile is what shapes Seoul's unique sunrise, sunset, and golden hour patterns year-round.

Seoul's Gwacheon National Science Museum operates the largest public astronomical observatory in South Korea, featuring a 1-meter reflecting telescope and a dedicated solar observation deck. The Korean Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) in nearby Daejeon has been a key contributor to the GMT (Giant Magellan Telescope) project, and Seoul's amateur astronomy clubs number over 50 — one of the highest densities in Asia.

Golden Hour Photography at Seoul

Golden hour at Seoul occurs when the sun sits between −4° and 6° above the horizon, producing soft, warm, directional light ideal for portrait and landscape photography. At Seoul's latitude, morning golden hour typically starts in the hour after sunrise and lasts approximately 28–40 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.

At 37.6°N, Seoul's midsummer daylight stretches to 14 hours and 45 minutes under a humid continental climate. The city's dramatic seasonal swing — from −5°C January nights to 30°C July days — mirrors the striking contrast between Seoul's ultra-modern skyline and its mountain-ringed natural basin, where the sun path traces a precise arc from Bukhansan in the east to Gwanaksan in the west.

UV Exposure & Sun Safety at Seoul

UV radiation at Seoul peaks when the sun is highest in the sky — around solar noon. At 37.6° latitude, peak UV levels vary significantly by season: summer months see UV indices of 6–9 (high), while winter months typically register 1–3 (low). The World Health Organization recommends sun protection when UV index exceeds 3. At Seoul's latitude, this threshold is exceeded for approximately 6–8 months per year, making sun awareness a year-round consideration for outdoor workers and athletes.

How We Calculate Solar Data for Seoul

All solar calculations for Seoul 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 Seoul's coordinates (37.6°, 127.0°) — zero server processing means your location data never leaves your device.