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A (BETA) Sun Tracking Program (Part 3)

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Note: This program has been replaced by the Sun Tracker program. Someone might still find it useful though, so I'm leaving it up.

Customizing the Program for Your Area

When first downloaded, the program is set up to calculate the sun's position from the middle of Lake Michigan. (because I didn't want to show the whole world my house's exact GPS coordinates)

You will have to input your own latitude and longitude if you want to calculate the sun's position from where you live.

In the upper left corner of SciTE, you will see where in the program to do this. Below is a screen shot of what it looks like.

Warning: Make sure not to change or delete the = sign or anything to the left of it when typing in your numbers.

Sun Tracking Program

Where to Find Your Latitude and Longitude

You can find your latitude and longitude by going here http://www.satsig.net/maps/lat-long-finder.htm. This site gives the Latitude and Longitude in both decimal degree form and degree, minute, and second form. Use the decimal degree form. i.e. 30.187750

If for some reason you can't find it there, you will have to try elsewhere on the net. I personally found my lat and long on Google Earth by mousing over my house and reading the coordinates.

You could also use a GPS as well.

Decimal Degrees

If they haven't been already, the latitude and longitude must be converted into decimal degrees.

For example: N 30 11' 15.9" will instead be 30.187750

Here is a website which will do the conversions for you. http://www.uky.edu/KGS/gis/converter.htm

Positive or Negative Lat and Long

Latitude

Make sure you type in the latitude as...

 a  Negative number if you're in the Southern hemisphere

or

 a  Positive number if you're in the Northern hemisphere.

 

Longitude

Make sure you type in the longitude as...

a Negative number if you're in the Western hemisphere

or

a Positive number if you're in the Eastern hemisphere.

 

Running the Program (again)

With your latitude and longitude entered, run the program again by pressing F5 (or  menu bar > tools > go). It should now output the position of the sun in your area.

Note: It's important for the time on your computer to be correct. If it's not, the program will calculate the position of the sun incorrectly. 

The next page will show you some of the other things you can edit in this program.

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