Sun getting higher faster, at transit

Event Date: February 19th

Time: 12:22(.32) PM

Brief

   Yesterday morning, I showed the sub-horizon Sun when it reached the final of 12 sectors during the astronomical year.  Of course, it would be hard for us to think much about that when below the horizon so this time, let's do a daytime entry.  While still picking up speed moving north, our star is shown at transit, already 41º in altitude.  At the time of the June solstice, the Sun was a little under 30º in altitude.  Shown in the image, are the ecliptic, celestial equator, and the altitude grid.

click on image to enlarge: courtesy of Starry Night Pro Plus, version 6.4.3, by Simulation Curriculum Corp.

Detailed

Although we don't see the guidelines in the sky [with our eyes], we can image the latter, given that the Sun is seen higher in the sky every day between now and late spring.  Of course, it still moves higher up until the time of the June solstice, yet high enough that it is not as noticeable to change.  As for the celestial equator and ecliptic, I mentioned those yesterday  For the next four weeks, we will notice the Sun move highest at its fastest rate in declination.  Also, the length of our day will increase fastest.  Even after daylight savings kicks into effect the 2nd Sunday in March, the mornings will only seem dark for a few weeks after that; by mid-April, we will have Sunrises in the mornings already as early as they were before the start of daylight savings.  Our evenings will also stay light longer, and the rate of that change is about its fastest near the time of the equinox.