Sun & Shadow Map of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Track sunlight direction and building shadows across Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen for any time and date. Drag the time slider above to watch shadows grow, shrink and rotate from sunrise to sunset.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Longyearbyen today
Right now Longyearbyen is experiencing polar day — the sun stays above the horizon for a full 24 hours.
How shadows move through the day in Longyearbyen
In the morning the sun sits low in the east, so shadows stretch long toward the west. As the sun climbs toward solar noon, shadows shorten and swing around to point north — Longyearbyen lies in the northern hemisphere. Through the afternoon the sun sinks toward the west and shadows lengthen again, this time falling toward the east. Use the time slider to see the exact sun angle and shadow direction at any minute of the day.
Shadow length by season
Shadow length depends on how high the sun climbs at midday, which changes with the seasons. At solar noon in Longyearbyen:
- Around the summer solstice, a 10 m building casts a midday shadow of roughly 14.2 m.
Sunrise & sunset across the year in Longyearbyen
| Season | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring equinox | Mar 20 | 05:44 | 18:25 | 12h 40m |
| Summer solstice | Jun 21 | — | — | 24h 0m |
| Autumn equinox | Sep 22 | 06:24 | 19:15 | 12h 51m |
| Winter solstice | Dec 21 | — | — | 0h 0m |
Times shown for Arctic/Longyearbyen. Calculated from the city's coordinates (78.223340, 15.646890).
Why check sun and shadows in Longyearbyen?
Knowing where the sun falls helps with choosing an apartment with good natural light, planning a rooftop terrace or garden, positioning solar panels, scheduling outdoor photography during golden hour, or simply finding a sunny café table. The map above models shadows cast by buildings using OpenStreetMap data, so you can check a specific street or address rather than relying on a general sunrise table.
Frequently asked questions
What time is golden hour in Longyearbyen?
Golden hour falls shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset, when the sun is low and light is warm. With sunset around — today, the evening golden hour begins roughly an hour earlier. Use the slider to find the exact low-sun window.
Which direction do windows get the most sun in Longyearbyen?
In the northern hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the most sunlight through the day, while east-facing rooms get morning light and west-facing rooms get afternoon and evening light.