Seasons and sky

Civil Dawn

Direct answer

Civil Dawn is the morning instant when the Sun center reaches 6 degrees below the horizon.

Civil Dawn begins morning civil twilight at a -6-degree solar altitude.

Seasons & Earth AlmanacThe Great Almanac DictionaryUpdated 2026-09-26

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At a glance

Found in: Seasons & Earth Almanac
Related: Dusk, Civil Dusk, Astronomical Season, Equinox

Four countrymen round a great flat sundial in a field under the sun, one sowing and one reaping — Earth and season · visual guide **Civil Dawn**
Civil Dawn begins morning civil twilight at a -6-degree solar altitude.
A Sun-Earth orientation for seasonal, atmospheric, tidal, and terrestrial terms.

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Why Civil Dawn matters

Civil Dawn gives daily schedules a reproducible first-light threshold that is distinct from sunrise.

How to read Civil Dawn

Civil Dawn for lighting, outdoor operations, transport, and almanac tables applies when the -6-degree definition is intended.

Civil Dawn in practice: an example

Civil Dawn occurs after nautical dawn and before the upper limb of the Sun appears at sunrise.

Sources and editorial method

Research references used for this entry include:

U.S. Naval Observatory: Rise, Set, and Twilight Definitions - Official definitions used for sunrise, sunset, refraction, and twilight calculations.
NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory: Solar Calculator Glossary - NOAA definitions for solar geometry, atmospheric refraction, and civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight.

Source: The Great Almanac Dictionary
Category: Seasons & Earth Almanac
Last updated: 2026-09-26

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DuskDusk is the fading twilight after sunset. Civil DuskCivil Dusk ends evening civil twilight at a -6-degree solar altitude. Astronomical SeasonAn Astronomical Season runs from one equinox or solstice to the next. EquinoxAn Equinox occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. SolsticeA Solstice marks the Sun's greatest apparent northward or southward position. SunriseSunrise is the calculated first appearance of the Sun's upper edge at the horizon.

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