soloppgang

Soloppgang, or sunrise, is the moment in the morning when the upper edge of the Sun becomes visible above the horizon as seen from a specific location. It marks the transition from night to day and varies with local topography and atmospheric conditions.

Scientifically, sunrise is determined by the Sun’s apparent motion due to Earth’s rotation. The exact moment depends on the observer’s horizon, terrain, and the refraction of light in the atmosphere, which lifts objects near the horizon. Consequently, the observed sunrise time can differ from the geometric calculation by several minutes.

Geography and season strongly influence soloppgang. At high latitudes the interval between astronomical dawn and actual sunrise changes with the seasons, and polar regions experience phenomena such as polar night and midnight sun. Near the equator, twilights are brief and sunrises are relatively quick.

Color and atmosphere play a significant role in the appearance of sunrise. As the Sun climbs, sunlight passes through more of the atmosphere, scattering shorter wavelengths and leaving longer red wavelengths, which colors the sky orange, pink, and red. Conditions such as clouds, dust, or pollution affect the intensity of the colors. A rare green flash can occur for brief moments just after the upper limb emerges.

Cultural and practical aspects surround soloppgang. Sunrise is used in timekeeping and navigation, and it is a common motif in literature and art. The word soloppgang derives from sol (sun) and oppgang (rising) in Norwegian.