Seasons and sky
Civil Twilight
Direct answer
Civil Twilight is the period when the Sun center is between the horizon and 6 degrees below it before sunrise or after sunset.
Civil Twilight spans Sun altitudes from 0 to -6 degrees.
$0 today, then $12/month after 7 days. Cancel anytime.
At a glance
- Found in
- Seasons & Earth Almanac
- Related
- Solar Terminator, Nautical Twilight, Astronomical Season, Equinox
Civil Twilight spans Sun altitudes from 0 to -6 degrees.
A Sun-Earth orientation for seasonal, atmospheric, tidal, and terrestrial terms.
What does your own chart say about you?
Choose love, work or purpose. Your reading is written from your chart. Your reading uses your own birth details.
Walk through Alex’s whole example first
The Road of AgesSee the turning points of your whole life, from your birth date
See your road's shape
Prefer to explore first?
The Road of AgesThe turning points of your whole life, from your own chart
Walk my road
Free, by email
Your daily Almanac letter
One short letter at 7 each morning: the day’s theme read for your own chart, and one thing to do with it.
The story behind Civil Twilight
Standard twilight depression angles gave navigators and almanac makers repeatable definitions beyond subjective brightness.
Why Civil Twilight matters
Civil Twilight often provides enough natural light for many outdoor activities and defines several legal or operational lighting thresholds.
How to read Civil Twilight
Civil Twilight speaks to daily almanacs, photography, aviation, lighting, and public-event planning.
Civil Twilight in practice: an example
Evening Civil Twilight ends when the Sun center reaches 6 degrees below the horizon.
Where readings of Civil Twilight go wrong
Actual visibility depends on clouds, terrain, haze, Moon, and artificial light, so the angle is not a safety guarantee.
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
Find today civil-twilight window
A definition tells you what it is; your own birth chart tells you what it means for you. The Oracle casts your real chart and answers for your love, your work, and your year ahead, in conversation. It opens with the 7-day Seeker trial.
Speak with the OracleRelated terms
More in Seasons & Earth Almanac
From the reference page to your own chart
Every word here
is in your own chart.
- A personal reading about love, work or purpose, written from your chart
- A practical next step to consider
- It opens with 7 days free, with the AI Oracle and daily guidance
$0 today, then $12/month after 7 days. Cancel anytime.
Common questions
What is Civil Twilight?
Civil Twilight is the period when the Sun center is between the horizon and 6 degrees below it before sunrise or after sunset.
What do people get wrong about Civil Twilight?
Actual visibility depends on clouds, terrain, haze, Moon, and artificial light, so the angle is not a safety guarantee.
Free, by email
The Almanac, in your inbox at 7
One short letter at 7 each morning: the day’s theme read for your own chart, and one thing to do with it.
