What the map shows
The darker area is night. The softer shading around it shows twilight, when the Sun is just below the horizon and the sky is not fully dark. The ☀️ marks the subsolar point, the place on Earth where the Sun is directly overhead right now. The line between day and night is called the terminator, and it sweeps west across the planet at about 1,670 km/h at the equator as Earth turns.
Why the shape changes through the year
Earth’s axis is tilted about 23.4°. Around the June solstice the North Pole leans towards the Sun, so the Arctic has daylight all day and the shadow curves over the south. Around the December solstice it is the other way round. At the March and September equinoxes the terminator runs almost straight from pole to pole, and day and night are close to 12 hours everywhere.
Uses
- Plan calls with family abroad: see at a glance whether it is day or night there.
- Understand jet lag and why flights to Asia or Europe "lose" a night.
- Teach kids about seasons, time zones and Earth’s rotation.
For exact sunrise and sunset times in your city, use our Sun & Moon Today tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is this map live?
Yes. The Sun’s position is calculated in your browser and the shadow updates every minute.
What is the subsolar point?
The spot where the Sun is directly overhead at noon. It moves between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn during the year.
Why is twilight wider near the poles?
The Sun crosses the horizon at a shallow angle there, so twilight lasts longer and covers more ground.
More live Earth & Space tools
Data and credits: Sun position calculated with standard astronomical formulas in your browser. Map imagery: NASA GIBS Blue Marble (public domain). Labels © OpenStreetMap contributors. Leaflet. See all Live Earth & Space tools and our credits page.