How to Use PHP date_sunrise() and date

The PHP date_sunrise() and date_sunset() function allows users to calculate the timings of sunrise and sunset at a particular location. The function is dependent on geographic location, the day of the year, and the time zone. Using this function, users can retrieve the moment for sunrise and sunset for a specific date or range of dates.

Function Features

The date_sunrise() and date_sunset() functions have many features that make them reliable tools for calculating sunrise and sunset timings. The latitude and longitude input is one of the most crucial characteristics. To obtain accurate dawn and sunset times, one must enter the location’s precise latitude and longitude values.

Along with that, the function requires the date on which the sunrise and sunset are to be calculated. The function also takes in the PHP timezone value to adjust for daylight savings.

Syntax

The syntax structure for the date_sunrise() function is as follows:

date_sunrise ($timestamp , $format , $latitude , $longitude , $zenith , $gmt_offset );

Similarly, the syntax structure for the date_sunset function() is as follows:

date_sunset ($timestamp , $format , $latitude , $longitude , $zenith , $gmt_offset );

Input Parameters

The PHP date_sunrise() and date_sunset() functions have six input parameters. The first parameter is $timestamp, which is optional and is defined by a Unix timestamp. The second parameter is the $format, which is also optional. This parameter specifies how the output will be returned. The third parameter is $latitude, which stores the latitude of the location for which the sunrise or sunset is to be calculated.

The fourth parameter is $longitude, which stores the longitude of the location for which the sunrise or sunset is to be calculated. About the horizon, the sun’s location is specified by the fifth parameter, $zenith. Lastly, the sixth input parameter is $gmt_offset, which is the offset of the local timezone from GMT.

Return Format

The PHP date_sunrise() and date_sunset() function allows users to achieve several return formats. The most commonly used return formats are string and timestamp. The SUNFUNCS_RET_STRING format will return the sun’s time in a string format, SUNFUNCS_RET_TIMESTAMP will return the time in Unix timestamp format and SUNFUNCS_RET_DOUBLE will return the time in double format.

Sunrise Calculation

Using the date_sunrise() function, users can calculate the time of sunrise using this syntax:

date_sunrise(time(), SUNFUNCS_RET_STRING, $lat, $long, $zenith, $gmt_offset);

For example:

<?php

echo date("D M d Y\n");

echo("Sunrise time: ");

echo(date_sunrise(time(), SUNFUNCS_RET_STRING, 34.6543, 56.34535, 88, 5.32));

?>

This code formats the current date as “D M d Y” and displays it using the date() function. The date_sunrise() method is then used to determine and report the sunrise time based on the specified latitude and longitude coordinates (34.6543, 56.34535).

Sunset Calculation

Using the date_sunset() function, users can calculate the time of sunset using this syntax:

date_sunset(time(), SUNFUNCS_RET_STRING, $lat, $long, $zenith, $gmt_offset);

For example:

<?php

echo date("D M d Y");

echo("\nSunset time: ");

echo(date_sunset(time(), SUNFUNCS_RET_STRING, 34.6543, 56.34535, 88, 5.32));

?>

This code formats the current date as “D M d Y” and displays it using the date() function. The date_sunset() method is then used to determine and report the sunset time based on the specified latitude and longitude coordinates (34.6543, 56.34535).

Conclusion

The date_sunrise() and date_sunset() functions in PHP provide a convenient way to calculate the sunrise and sunset times for a given date and location. By using these functions, developers can accurately determine astronomical times and incorporate them into their PHP applications.

How to Use PHP date_sunrise() and date_sunset() Function