<p>Elevation and Declination are from different co-ordinate systems, so solar elevation is given in Alt/Az co-ordinates and refers to the elevation above the local horizon. Sun declination is measured in RA/Dec co-ordinates (which is an equatorial co-ordinate system) and measures the Sun's inclination above or below the equator on the celestial sphere.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-29T15:24:28.583Z
Is there a way to convert between the two?
JobHunter69
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-29T16:19:00.563Z
@Goldname You might find this tool useful https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/azel.html
Dean
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-29T10:49:33.070Z
2017-06-29T10:49:33.070Z
Dean
<p>I need to use the sunrise equation but one of the variables is the sun declination. On the other hand, I have the values for solar elevation angle that I need. Are they the same thing?</p>

<the-sun><declination><sun-rays>
Is there a difference between the solar elevation angle and sun declination?
JobHunter69
# Is there a difference between the solar elevation angle and sun declination?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-06-29)

I need to use the sunrise equation but one of the variables is the sun declination. On the other hand, I have the values for solar elevation angle that I need. Are they the same thing?

**Tags:** the-sun, declination, sun-rays


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-06-29. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Elevation and Declination are from different co-ordinate systems, so solar elevation is given in Alt/Az co-ordinates and refers to the elevation above the local horizon. Sun declination is measured in RA/Dec co-ordinates (which is an equatorial co-ordinate system) and measures the Sun's inclination above or below the equator on the celestial sphere.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Is there a way to convert between the two?  
> **username_1**: @Goldname You might find this tool useful https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/azel.html  

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