Golden Hour at Roque de los Muchachos
La Palma, España — Observatory above the clouds — premier dark sky site.
Golden hour at Roque de los Muchachos varies from 36 minutes in the morning to 36 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 08:05 in January to 07:56 in December. Observatory above the clouds — premier dark sky site. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 08:05 | 18:36 | 35m | 35m | 114° ESE | 246° WSW |
| Feb | 07:49 | 19:01 | 32m | 32m | 104° ESE | 256° WSW |
| Mar | 07:21 | 19:19 | 31m | 31m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 07:45 | 20:37 | 32m | 32m | 78° ENE | 282° WNW |
| May | 07:20 | 20:55 | 33m | 33m | 68° ENE | 292° WNW |
| Jun | 07:13 | 21:11 | 34m | 34m | 63° ENE | 297° WNW |
| Jul | 07:23 | 21:11 | 34m | 34m | 65° ENE | 295° WNW |
| Aug | 07:40 | 20:51 | 32m | 32m | 73° ENE | 286° WNW |
| Sep | 07:56 | 20:16 | 31m | 31m | 86° E | 274° W |
| Oct | 08:12 | 19:41 | 32m | 32m | 99° E | 260° W |
| Nov | 07:34 | 18:17 | 34m | 34m | 111° ESE | 249° WSW |
| Dec | 07:56 | 18:16 | 36m | 36m | 116° ESE | 244° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Roque de los Muchachos
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: June
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Roque de los Muchachos?
- Golden hour at Roque de los Muchachos varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 36m and evening 36m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Roque de los Muchachos?
- Sunrise ranges from 08:05 in January to 07:56 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Roque de los Muchachos?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 116° ESE in winter to 63° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 244° WSW to 297° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Roque de los Muchachos?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are June, July, May.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Roque de los Muchachos?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 07:25. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Roque de los Muchachos?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Roque de los Muchachos?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Roque de los Muchachos during June, July, May. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Roque de los Muchachos good for astrophotography?
- Roque de los Muchachos has up to 7 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (June, July, May). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
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- Pico do Arieiro 452 km
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