Solar radiation is at its strongest when the sun is directly overhead at midday. This is the brightest and hottest time on a clear day because the sun's radiation passes through less of Earth's atmosphere when it strikes Earth perpendicularly. These effects are much less in the early morning or late afternoon when some solar radiation is blocked because it passes through more atmosphere at a greater angle.
The sun is most directly overhead near the equator, around the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This occurs during the two equinoxes in March and September.
The sun is directly overhead at the summer solstice at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5oN). This is as the most northernly latitude which has the sun directly overhead at any time of the year. A similar case happen at the winter solstice at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5oS).
Not always. The sun is directly overhead at the equator at the spring and fall equinoxes.
The number of days the sun is directly overhead in the continental US varies depending on the location. Generally, it occurs from one to several times a year at latitudes close to the Tropic of Cancer. In more northern states, like those in the lower 48, the sun is never directly overhead.
The term for when the sun is directly overhead at noon at the equator is called the equinoxes. This occurs around March 21st and September 23rd each year.
Very small shadows.
Tropic of Cancer
equinox-summer
It is locally noon.
When the shadows are short, the sun is typically somewhere overhead.
The sun is most directly overhead near the equator, around the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This occurs during the two equinoxes in March and September.
The sun is directly overhead at the summer solstice at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5oN). This is as the most northernly latitude which has the sun directly overhead at any time of the year. A similar case happen at the winter solstice at the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5oS).
Not always. The sun is directly overhead at the equator at the spring and fall equinoxes.
The number of days the sun is directly overhead in the continental US varies depending on the location. Generally, it occurs from one to several times a year at latitudes close to the Tropic of Cancer. In more northern states, like those in the lower 48, the sun is never directly overhead.
The sun appears directly overhead in Mexico City twice a year during the summer solstice and winter solstice. This occurs when the sun's rays are perpendicular to the Tropic of Cancer, where Mexico City is located.
The term for when the sun is directly overhead at noon at the equator is called the equinoxes. This occurs around March 21st and September 23rd each year.
This is called the "equinox", or "equal nights" - when the night and day are approximately the same duration.