Golden Hour at Petra
Ma'an, Jordan — Ancient rose-red city carved into canyon walls.
Golden hour at Petra varies from 36 minutes in the morning to 36 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:35 in January to 07:27 in December. Ancient rose-red city carved into canyon walls. 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 | 07:35 | 17:59 | 35m | 35m | 114° ESE | 246° WSW |
| Feb | 07:18 | 18:26 | 33m | 33m | 104° ESE | 256° WSW |
| Mar | 06:48 | 18:46 | 32m | 32m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 06:11 | 19:05 | 32m | 32m | 78° ENE | 282° WNW |
| May | 05:44 | 19:25 | 34m | 34m | 67° ENE | 293° WNW |
| Jun | 05:35 | 19:41 | 35m | 35m | 62° ENE | 298° WNW |
| Jul | 05:46 | 19:41 | 35m | 34m | 64° ENE | 296° WNW |
| Aug | 06:05 | 19:19 | 33m | 33m | 73° ENE | 287° WNW |
| Sep | 06:22 | 18:43 | 32m | 32m | 86° E | 274° W |
| Oct | 06:40 | 18:07 | 32m | 32m | 99° E | 260° W |
| Nov | 07:03 | 17:41 | 35m | 35m | 111° ESE | 249° WSW |
| Dec | 07:27 | 17:39 | 36m | 36m | 117° ESE | 243° 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 Petra
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 | |
| Jul | |
| Aug | |
| Sep | |
| Oct | |
| Nov | |
| Dec |
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Petra?
- Golden hour at Petra 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 Petra?
- Sunrise ranges from 07:35 in January to 07:27 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Petra?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 117° ESE in winter to 62° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 243° WSW to 298° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Petra?
- 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, May, July.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Petra?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 06:55. 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 Petra?
- 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 Petra?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Petra during June, May, July. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Petra good for astrophotography?
- Petra has up to 6 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (June, May, July). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Wadi Rum 89 km
- Cappadocia 926 km
- Pamukkale 1025 km
- Santorini 1145 km
- Meteora 1632 km