São Tomé Sunrise & Sunset: September 2026
Day-by-day sunrise and sunset times with golden hour data
In São Tomé in September, sunrise averages 05:26 and sunset averages 17:32. Days are getting shorter through September at São Tomé's latitude of 0.3°. Golden hour lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. Times are accurate to within 1 minute.
Avg Sunrise
05:26
Avg Sunset
17:32
Avg Daylight
12h 07m
Advertisement
Monthly Sunrise & Sunset Table: São Tomé
| Date | Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/01 | Tue | 05:31 | 17:38 | 12h 07m |
| 09/02 | Wed | 05:30 | 17:37 | 12h 07m |
| 09/03 | Thu | 05:30 | 17:37 | 12h 07m |
| 09/04 | Fri | 05:30 | 17:37 | 12h 07m |
| 09/05 | Sat | 05:29 | 17:36 | 12h 07m |
| 09/06 | Sun | 05:29 | 17:36 | 12h 07m |
| 09/07 | Mon | 05:29 | 17:36 | 12h 07m |
| 09/08 | Tue | 05:28 | 17:35 | 12h 07m |
| 09/09 | Wed | 05:28 | 17:35 | 12h 07m |
| 09/10 | Thu | 05:28 | 17:35 | 12h 07m |
| 09/11 | Fri | 05:27 | 17:34 | 12h 07m |
| 09/12 | Sat | 05:27 | 17:34 | 12h 07m |
| 09/13 | Sun | 05:27 | 17:34 | 12h 07m |
| 09/14 | Mon | 05:26 | 17:33 | 12h 07m |
| 09/15 | Tue | 05:26 | 17:33 | 12h 07m |
| 09/16 | Wed | 05:26 | 17:32 | 12h 07m |
| 09/17 | Thu | 05:25 | 17:32 | 12h 07m |
| 09/18 | Fri | 05:25 | 17:32 | 12h 07m |
| 09/19 | Sat | 05:24 | 17:31 | 12h 07m |
| 09/20 | Sun | 05:24 | 17:31 | 12h 07m |
| 09/21 | Mon | 05:24 | 17:30 | 12h 07m |
| 09/22 | Tue | 05:23 | 17:30 | 12h 07m |
| 09/23 | Wed | 05:23 | 17:30 | 12h 07m |
| 09/24 | Thu | 05:23 | 17:29 | 12h 07m |
| 09/25 | Fri | 05:22 | 17:29 | 12h 07m |
| 09/26 | Sat | 05:22 | 17:29 | 12h 07m |
| 09/27 | Sun | 05:22 | 17:28 | 12h 07m |
| 09/28 | Mon | 05:21 | 17:28 | 12h 07m |
| 09/29 | Tue | 05:21 | 17:28 | 12h 07m |
| 09/30 | Wed | 05:21 | 17:27 | 12h 07m |
Daylight Hours Throughout the Year
September Sunrise & Sunset in São Tomé: Complete Monthly Guide
In September 2026, São Tomé has an average of 12h 07m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 05:31 at the start of the month to 05:21 at the end, while sunset shifts from 17:38 to 17:27.
September in São Tomé brings shortening autumn days. Average sunrise in September is 05:26 and average sunset is 17:32. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.
Day Length Variation in September
Day length in São Tomé in September changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.
At São Tomé's latitude of 0.3°, the rate of day length change in September is approximately 1 to 2 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in São Tomé shifts by approximately 20 to 40 minutes over the course of September.
Golden Hour in São Tomé in September
Golden hour in São Tomé in September occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Septemberat São Tomé's latitude of 0.3°, golden hour lasts approximately 25 to 45 minutes.
For photographers planning shoots in São Tomé in September: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in September begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.
Blue Hour and Twilight in São Tomé in September
Civil twilight in São Tomé in September begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.
The total twilight window in São Tomé in September extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.
Photography Tips for September in São Tomé
Shooting in São Tomé in September requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in September:
- Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
- Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
- Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.
In September, São Tomé's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.
About This Monthly Sunrise Data
All sunrise and sunset times in this September table for São Tomé are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of São Tomé (0.3365°, 6.7273°) and the local timezone (Africa/Sao_Tome). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.
The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.
Frequently Asked Questions: September Sunrise & Sunset in São Tomé
What is the average sunrise time in São Tomé in September?
The average sunrise time in São Tomé in September 2026 is approximately 05:26. This is based on the mid-month calculation for São Tomé at latitude 0.34° and longitude 6.73°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 05:31 on the first of the month to 05:21 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.
How many hours of daylight does São Tomé get in September?
São Tomé receives an average of 12h 07m of daylight per day in September 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 12h 07m on the first of the month to 12h 07m on the last day.
What is the earliest sunrise in São Tomé in September?
The earliest sunrise in São Tomé in September 2026 occurs on 2026-09-28 at 05:21. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-09-01 at 05:31.
What time is golden hour in São Tomé in September?
Golden hour in São Tomé in September occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (05:26 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 25 to 45 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (17:32 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.
Is September a good time to photograph sunrise in São Tomé?
September is a strong month for sunrise photography in São Tomé. Autumn light has a distinctive warm quality, sunrise at 05:26 is at a comfortable time, and the lower sun angle produces extended golden hour periods compared to summer.
When does civil twilight start in São Tomé in September?
Civil twilight in São Tomé in September begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At São Tomé's latitude of 0.3°, civil twilight in September starts around 05:01 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.