Why does Edmonton receive fewer hours of daylight than Calgary on December 22?

Why does Edmonton have fewer hours of daylight than Calgary on December 22?

On December 22, Calgary receives 7 h 54 min of daylight hours, while Edmonton only receives 7 h 28 min. Why is there a difference?

Answer:

Edmonton's daylight duration is shorter than that of Calgary because Edmonton is at a lower latitude than Calgary.

Explanation:

Latitude plays a crucial role in determining the length of daylight hours in a region. Latitude refers to the horizontal lines that measure the north-south position on Earth, with the equator as the reference point. The higher the latitude, the longer the duration of daylight.

As you move away from the equator towards the poles, the latitude decreases, resulting in shorter daylight hours. In the case of Edmonton and Calgary, Edmonton is situated at a higher latitude than Calgary, leading to fewer hours of daylight on December 22. The Earth's tilt and its orbit around the Sun cause variations in daylight hours, with higher latitudes experiencing shorter days.

During the winter solstice, the tilt of the Earth's axis results in a shorter path of the Sun across the sky for locations at higher latitudes. This phenomenon explains why Edmonton receives fewer hours of daylight than Calgary on December 22.