The simple answer is, the Sun doesn't know when to "come up" because it doesn't actually rise or set. What we observe as sunrise is the effect of Earth's movement, not the Sun's.
The Illusion of Sunrise
Based on scientific understanding, including information from Journey North, the Sun remains relatively stationary at the center of our solar system. It is the movement of our planet that creates the appearance of the Sun rising and setting.
- The Sun Stays Put: The Sun itself is a massive star that anchors the solar system. It doesn't move across our sky.
- Earth's Rotation: Our home planet, Earth, is constantly spinning on its axis. This spin is the primary reason for day and night, and consequently, the apparent motion of the Sun.
As stated by Journey North, "The sun stays in its position at the center of our solar system. It doesn't rise and set. But it appears to rise and set because of the Earth's rotation on its axis."
Think of it like riding a merry-go-round. As you spin, the objects around you seem to move, even though they are stationary relative to the ground. Similarly, as Earth spins, different parts of its surface are turned towards or away from the Sun, creating the cycle of day and night.
Why We See Sunrise
When your specific location on Earth rotates to face towards the Sun, you begin to see the Sun appear above the horizon – this is what we call sunrise. As your location continues to rotate away from the Sun, it eventually dips below the horizon, resulting in sunset.
This natural, predictable rotation of the Earth is the mechanism behind sunrise and sunset times, not any action or awareness on the part of the Sun.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Cause | Effect (Observed from Earth) |
|---|---|
| Earth's Rotation | Sun appears to rise |
| Earth's Rotation | Sun appears to set |
| Earth's Rotation | Day and Night cycle |
In essence, the Earth is doing the "moving" relative to the Sun, causing the celestial dance we see daily. The timing of sunrise and sunset at any given location depends on that location's position on Earth and the Earth's tilt as it orbits the Sun throughout the year.
