Solar Noon in Rotterdam Today
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Solar noon in Rotterdam today is at 13:41. This is the moment when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and shadows are at their shortest for the day. Sunrise is at 06:34 and sunset at 20:49, giving 14h 15m of daylight.
Solar Noon
13:41
Sunrise
06:34
Sunset
20:49
Daylight
14h 15m
Solar Noon in Rotterdam: April 2026
Solar noon shifts slightly each day due to Earth's elliptical orbit (equation of time). The shift is typically 20 to 30 seconds per day.
| Date | Solar Noon |
|---|---|
| April 1 | 13:47 |
| April 2 | 13:46 |
| April 3 | 13:46 |
| April 4 | 13:46 |
| April 5 | 13:45 |
| April 6 | 13:45 |
| April 7 | 13:45 |
| April 8 | 13:45 |
| April 9 | 13:44 |
| April 10 | 13:44 |
| April 11 | 13:44 |
| April 12 | 13:44 |
| April 13 | 13:43 |
| April 14 | 13:43 |
| April 15 | 13:43 |
| April 16 | 13:43 |
| April 17 | 13:42 |
| April 18 | 13:42 |
| April 19 | 13:42 |
| April 20 | 13:42 |
| April 21Today | 13:41 |
| April 22 | 13:41 |
| April 23 | 13:41 |
| April 24 | 13:41 |
| April 25 | 13:41 |
| April 26 | 13:41 |
| April 27 | 13:40 |
| April 28 | 13:40 |
| April 29 | 13:40 |
| April 30 | 13:40 |
What is Solar Noon?
Solar noon is the moment when the sun crosses the local meridian and reaches its highest elevation angle above the horizon. At solar noon in Rotterdam, the sun is due south and shadows point due north.
Why Solar Noon Differs from 12:00 Clock Time
Rotterdam is located at longitude 4.48, which places it 4.5 degrees offset from the nearest time zone meridian. Every degree of longitude corresponds to 4 minutes of solar time, so the offset from clock noon can be significant. A second factor is the equation of time: Earth's elliptical orbit means solar days vary by up to 16 minutes throughout the year, shifting solar noon earlier or later relative to clock time.
Solar Noon and Photography
Solar noon in Rotterdam (today: 13:41) produces the most direct, overhead light of the day. This creates short, harsh shadows that are generally unflattering for portraits and landscapes. However, the hours immediately around solar noon can work well for architectural photography where straight-down shadows reveal texture. For the best natural light, work during golden hour: from 06:34 onward in the morning, or approaching 20:49 in the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time is solar noon in Rotterdam today?
- Solar noon in Rotterdam today is at 13:41. This is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and shadows are at their shortest for the day.
- Why is solar noon in Rotterdam not at 12:00?
- Solar noon in Rotterdam differs from clock noon because time zones cover large geographic areas. Rotterdam is at longitude 4.48, which puts it offset from the center of its time zone. Earth's elliptical orbit also causes the solar day to vary by up to 16 minutes throughout the year.
- How does solar noon relate to sunrise and sunset in Rotterdam?
- Solar noon in Rotterdam today is at 13:41, roughly midway between sunrise at 06:34 and sunset at 20:49. Total daylight is 14h 15m. Solar noon is not always exactly halfway due to the equation of time.
- What is the best time to photograph in Rotterdam relative to solar noon?
- Solar noon produces harsh overhead light unflattering for most photography. Golden hour begins at sunrise (06:34) and repeats before sunset (20:49). The 2 to 3 hours before sunset are typically ideal for portraits and landscapes.