The Sun generally rises in the east. However, the exact point on the horizon where the Sun rises changes throughout the year due to the tilt of the Earth's axis and its orbit around the Sun.
- On the two equinoxes (around March 20 and September 22), the Sun rises almost exactly due east everywhere on Earth
- Between the spring and fall equinoxes (roughly March to September), the Sun rises north of due east, reaching its most northeasterly point at the summer solstice (around June 20-21)
- Between the fall and spring equinoxes (roughly September to March), the Sun rises south of due east, reaching its most southeasterly point at the winter solstice (around December 21-22)
This means the Sun's rising position shifts along the horizon in a yearly cycle, moving between northeast and southeast depending on the season and your latitude. This shift is more pronounced the farther you are from the equator
. In summary, the Sun rises in the east but not always exactly due east; the precise direction varies daily, shifting north or south of east with the seasons
