﻿ The Path of the Sun: Museum Victoria  The Path of the Sun  The
diagram below shows the path of the Sun across the sky in
Melbourne for four important dates:    • The Autumn Equinox,
usually on March 21, is when the Sun rises exactly east, sets
exactly west and we have approximately equal day and night.   •
The Winter Solstice, usually on June 22, is when the Sun is
furthest north and we have our shortest day; and longest night.
• The Spring Equinox, usually on September 23, is identical to
that of March 21, except that the Sun rises 16 minutes earlier
on September 23.   • The Summer Solstice, usually on December
22, is when the Sun is furthest south and we have our longest
day and shortest night.  The path of the sun  The outer circle
on the diagram represents the horizon and the inner circles are
lines of constant elevation, drawn at 15° intervals. The radial
lines are lines of constant azimuth drawn at 15° intervals also.
The position of the Sun at each hour of the day is marked and
the time indicated.