Package noaa.coastwatch.util

Class SolarZenith

java.lang.Object
noaa.coastwatch.util.SolarZenith
public class SolarZenith extends Object
The solar zenith class may be used to calculate solar zenith angles for any earth location at a given date and time. The solar zenith angle is the angle between two vectors: one vector normal to the Earth's surface and the other pointing to the sun: 
           ^       -O-
           |       /|\ 
           |      _  
           |  sz  /|
           |--_  /
           |   \/
           |   /
           |  /
         --| /
        |  |/
   ======================
Since:
3.1.3
Author:
Peter Hollemans

  • Constructor Details

    • SolarZenith

      public SolarZenith(Date date)
      Creates a new solar zenith object using the specified date.
      Parameters:
      date - the date.

  • Method Details

    • getSolarZenith

      public double getSolarZenith(EarthLocation loc)
      Gets the solar zenith angle for a specified earth location.
      Parameters:
      loc - the earth location for the solar zenith calculation.
      Returns:
      the solar zenith angle in degrees.

    • getTerminator

      public EarthLocation getTerminator(double lat, boolean positive)
      Gets the position of the solar terminator for this data. The solar terminator is the point at which the solar zenith angle is zero (the day to night boundary).
      Parameters:
      lat - the geocentric latitude of the desired terminator position.
      positive - the positive or negative solution flag. The solar terminator has two points at every latitude. The solution flag selects one of the two points.
      Returns:
      the earth location of the terminator.