# Sunreach — 3D & AR Sun Tracker

> Sunreach is a 3D and AR sun tracker for iPhone and iPad: follow the sun’s path over real terrain, check mountain shade, see the sun path over your live camera view where you stand, and know whether tonight’s aurora clears your skyline. iOS 26 or later (iPhone and iPad); free to download. Sunreach Pro at launch: €24.99 a year with a 7-day free trial, or €3.99 a month. This site explains terrain-aware sun times with numbers computed by the app's engine (NOAA/Meeus solar position with Saemundsson refraction; skyline from 40 m terrain everywhere (from 30 m elevation data), 50 × 50 km around the spot; fine ground models in supported areas of Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Czechia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, USA (2 m, or 5 m in Spain; coverage and surface data vary by location)). Quote freely; please link the page.

On the App Store as “Sunreach: Sun & Aurora Planner” (Golden hour, 3D shade & AR), coming soon.

Key fact: published sunrise and sunset times assume a flat horizon (the sun's centre 0.833° below it). In mountains direct sun reaches a spot only when the sun clears the skyline in its direction, often more than an hour later. Golden hour here means true solar altitude −4° to +6°; blue hour −6° to −4°.

Aurora fact: the Kp needed to see the aurora is set by geomagnetic latitude (each Kp step moves the visible edge about 227 km toward the equator) and by the skyline toward the magnetic pole; a camera sees about 1.5 Kp more than the eye, and from Kp 7 the red glow (200–400 km up) reaches farther than the green. On open ground: Tromsø, Norway any Kp for a camera, any Kp by eye; Edinburgh, Scotland Kp 2.6 for a camera, Kp 4.1 by eye; London, England Kp 4.9 for a camera, Kp 6.4 by eye; New York, USA Kp 6.6 for a camera, Kp 7 by eye; Bovec, Slovenia Kp 7.3 for a camera, Kp 8.8 by eye.

## Current scope
The 3D and AR sun tracker is coming soon for iPhone and iPad. AR overlays the sun path and terrain skyline on the live camera view at the user’s actual location; 3D eye level previews remote viewpoints, and over towns a 3D city view shows buildings and their shadows. Sun-on-spot times count the terrain (2 m lidar where available), not trees or buildings, for now. Alignment search (Find dates) starts from what you are after (sun in a gap, sunset or full moon over a named peak, sun down a street) and gives the next date first, then the year's windows to the minute. The plan also shows the Apple Weather forecast, peak light after sunset and a valley-fog outlook. It has an aurora forecast that answers what Kp a spot needs over its own skyline (NOAA OVATION, Kp, solar wind and WSA-ENLIL; GFZ Hp30), counts the red glow of big storms and the oval's turn through the night (strongest near magnetic midnight, about 0.8 Kp more needed at dusk and 1.7 at dawn), ranks spots within a drive for tonight, plays the next three days on a time slider, sends aurora alerts and has an aurora widget for where you are. Also in the app: a drone camera with hyperlapse, the Moon and Milky Way in 3D and AR, 1,036 hand-picked photo spots, 98 photo events (alignments, mountain shade, polar light, meteor showers, moonbows, sea fog, festivals of light) each with what you see, why it happens and how to shoot it, offline region downloads, light alerts, widgets, a Live Activity and an Apple Watch app. The browser demo is only a fixed Yosemite sun example. Free plans today and tomorrow; Sunreach Pro plans any date (€24.99 a year or €3.99 a month at launch). This year’s exact dates and forecast warnings for each photo event, community photos and trees and buildings in the skyline are planned upgrades.

## Posts
- [Why sunrise time isn't when the sun reaches you](https://sunreach.app/why-sunrise-time-is-not-when-the-sun-reaches-you/): Sunrise times assume a flat horizon. In a valley the sun reaches you only when it clears the ridge: in Bovec 1 h 7 min later on 18 Oct 2026. How to work it out.
- [When does the sun reach Bovec? Sun times with the mountains counted](https://sunreach.app/when-does-the-sun-reach-bovec/): Direct sun in Bovec, Slovenia, month by month for 2027, with the Julian Alps counted: 08:52–14:46 on 21 December. Flat sunrise vs real sun.
- [Velika korita Soče: when is the Great Soča Gorge in the sun?](https://sunreach.app/velika-korita-soce-sun-times/): Sun times for Velika korita Soče from 2 m lidar: 10:14–13:03 on 21 Dec, 06:14–19:30 on 21 Jun. No low golden light all year.
- [Golden hour in the mountains: when the low sun actually reaches you](https://sunreach.app/golden-hour-in-the-mountains/): Golden hour is the sun between −4° and +6°. In a valley it only reaches you if the skyline toward the sun is lower than 6°. Examples with real numbers.
- [How to calculate golden hour: times by latitude and season](https://sunreach.app/how-to-calculate-golden-hour/): Golden hour is the sun at −4° to +6°. How to calculate it, tables for six cities from equator to Iceland, and why mountains change the answer.
- [Sunreach vs The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE): sun behind mountains](https://sunreach.app/compare-the-photographers-ephemeris/): Sunreach vs The Photographer's Ephemeris: price, terrain data, trees and buildings, AR, moon. Which one tells you when the sun really reaches a spot?
- [Sunreach vs PlanIt Pro: which shows real sun times in the mountains?](https://sunreach.app/compare-planit-pro/): Sunreach vs PlanIt Pro (Planit Photo Planner): price, terrain data, trees, offline use, Android. Feature set vs terrain-aware sun times for a spot.
- [Sunreach vs SunCast: terrain shadows vs sun-on-spot times](https://sunreach.app/compare-suncast/): Sunreach vs SunCast (Sun Tracker & Seeker): price, terrain and building shadows, AR, weather. Shadows on a map vs the minute the sun reaches a spot.
- [Best sun position apps for photographers in 2026](https://sunreach.app/best-sun-position-apps-for-photographers/): Twelve sun position apps compared, from PhotoPills and TPE to Shadowmap and Sunreach: terrain, buildings, AR, moon, alignment finders and price.
- [Great Soča Gorge: when is it sunny? A visitor’s light guide](https://sunreach.app/great-soca-gorge-light-guide/): When the sun shines into the Great Soča Gorge, month by month: 06:14–19:30 in June, 10:14–13:03 in December. Best time of day for photos and a visit.
- [Dolomites sunrise and sunset: when the sun reaches 9 famous spots](https://sunreach.app/dolomites-sunrise-sunset-sun-times/): Sun times with the mountains counted for Seceda, Tre Cime, Lago di Braies, Sorapis, Carezza, Alpe di Siusi, Passo Giau, Cortina and Ortisei, June to December.
- [Lago di Braies: when is the lake in the sun? Sunrise and sun times](https://sunreach.app/lago-di-braies-sun-times/): Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) gets direct sun 09:18–17:49 on 21 June and only 10:52–11:57 on 21 December. Month-by-month times with the Dolomites counted.
- [Yosemite Firefall 2027: when sunset light hits Horsetail Fall](https://sunreach.app/yosemite-firefall-horsetail-fall-sun-times/): Firefall 2027: computed last-light times at Horsetail Fall for every evening of February, from 2 m USGS lidar. Best 19 Feb–25 Feb, around 17:31.
- [When does El Capitan get sun? Sun and shade on El Cap](https://sunreach.app/el-capitan-sun-and-shade/): El Capitan's lower wall is in shade until 11:22 on 21 June and in sun 08:14–16:10 on 21 December. Month-by-month times from 2 m USGS lidar.
- [Sun or shade? How to plan a mountain trip around the sun](https://sunreach.app/plan-a-mountain-trip-around-the-sun/): Which side of the valley is sunny, when lakes get sun, where to see sunrise, how short a winter day is in a valley: rules for travelers, with real times.
- [Plan a sightseeing day around the sun](https://sunreach.app/plan-sightseeing-day-around-sun/): A practical way to plan sightseeing stops for sunlight: choose places and dates, compare direct-sun windows, and leave room for travel and weather.
- [Will my hotel balcony or terrace get sun?](https://sunreach.app/will-my-hotel-balcony-get-sun/): Learn what a sun and terrain planner can reveal about a hotel terrace or balcony, and where buildings, overhangs, floor height and clouds limit the answer.
- [How to use a sun path planner for photography](https://sunreach.app/use-sun-path-planner-for-photography/): Plan a photograph with terrain-aware light windows, 3D sun paths and an on-location AR view. Camera pins, subject light and uncertainty explained.
- [Plan drone filming around sunlight and shadows](https://sunreach.app/plan-drone-filming-around-sunlight/): Use Sunreach’s drone view to preview camera height, sun direction and terrain shadows, and explore still, forward or orbit hyperlapse timing.
- [Manhattanhenge 2027: dates, times and where to stand](https://sunreach.app/manhattanhenge-dates-times/): Manhattanhenge 2027: the sun sets down Manhattan's streets on 28 May–29 May and 13 Jul–15 Jul, around 20:12 EDT. Computed from 2 m USGS lidar.
- [Sun behind the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro: winter dates](https://sunreach.app/eiffel-tower-sunrise-trocadero/): From mid-November to late January the morning sun passes behind the Eiffel Tower seen from Trocadéro. Dates, times and heights, computed for 2026–27.
- [Find sun or shade in a city with 3D buildings](https://sunreach.app/find-sunlight-in-a-city-3d-buildings/): Use Sunreach’s 3D city view to see which streets, squares and facades are lit at a given minute, then pick the spot and time for a photo or a sunny terrace.
- [Peak light and valley fog: when is it worth going?](https://sunreach.app/peak-light-and-valley-fog-forecast/): Sunreach shows which peaks keep the last light after your spot is in shade, gives a go or don’t-go from the clouds, and reads the forecast for valley fog.
- [Sunreach vs Shadowmap: city shadows vs sun on your spot](https://sunreach.app/compare-shadowmap/): Sunreach vs Shadowmap: price, 3D buildings and trees, terrain, AR, alignment search. Shadow simulation for homes and cities vs light planning for a spot.
- [Sunreach vs PhotoPills: terrain-aware times vs the planner](https://sunreach.app/compare-photopills/): Sunreach vs PhotoPills: price, planner, alignment finder, AR, Milky Way, terrain. When you need the toolbox and when you need the terrain counted.
- [Sunreach vs Sun Seeker: compass and AR vs terrain and 3D](https://sunreach.app/compare-sun-seeker/): Sunreach vs Sun Seeker (Sunlight Tracker): price, AR, map, widgets, Watch, terrain. A quick sun compass vs sun-on-spot times from the terrain.
- [Sunreach vs Sun Quest: terrain shadows vs sun-on-spot times](https://sunreach.app/compare-sun-quest/): Sunreach vs Sun Quest (Seeker & Tracker): price tiers, AR, terrain and building shadows, weather. Shadows on a map vs times for your spot.
- [What Kp do you need to see the aurora from your spot?](https://sunreach.app/aurora-forecast-kp-for-your-spot/): The Kp you need for the northern lights depends on your magnetic latitude and your skyline. 17 places, red aurora in big storms, and how to plan the night.
- [What time is the aurora strongest? Magnetic midnight, place by place](https://sunreach.app/best-time-to-see-the-aurora-magnetic-midnight/): The aurora is strongest near magnetic midnight: 22:20 in Tromsø, 23:25 in London, 01:50 in Fairbanks. Plus the extra Kp needed at dusk and dawn.
- [How to read an aurora forecast: Kp, Bz, solar wind and the OVATION map](https://sunreach.app/how-to-read-an-aurora-forecast-kp-bz-solar-wind/): What each number in an aurora app means: Kp, the Bz field, solar wind speed and density, NOAA’s OVATION map, Hp30, hemispheric power, and which to watch.

## Tools
- [All tools](https://sunreach.app/tools/): every tool in the app, what it does and how to use it, with screenshots
- [Sun on the spot](https://sunreach.app/tools/sun-on-the-spot/): When direct sun really reaches a place, with the mountains counted, plus golden and blue hour.
- [Year view and day picker](https://sunreach.app/tools/year-view/): Twelve months of sun on your spot in one chart, with solstices, equinoxes and moon phases.
- [Light report](https://sunreach.app/tools/light-report/): The best light of the day, shoot windows for people, landscape and night, shared as a PDF or image.
- [Peak light and fog](https://sunreach.app/tools/peak-light-and-fog/): How long the summits stay lit after your spot is in shade, and whether the valley will fill with fog.
- [Polariser guide](https://sunreach.app/tools/polariser/): Where a polarising filter darkens the sky most, whether today’s cloud leaves it worth using, and when water looks clear.
- [Moon, Milky Way and eclipses](https://sunreach.app/tools/night-sky/): Moonrise over the real skyline, the Milky Way core window and the eclipses you can see from your spot.
- [Aurora forecast](https://sunreach.app/tools/aurora/): The live aurora oval on a night globe, the Kp your own spot needs over its skyline, and where to drive tonight.
- [Sun map and moving the pin](https://sunreach.app/tools/sun-map/): The day’s sun directions around your pin on the map, a map that turns with you, and a pin you can drag.
- [3D view](https://sunreach.app/tools/3d-view/): Real terrain with moving shadows: orbit around a place, stand at eye level or lift a drone camera.
- [AR sun path](https://sunreach.app/tools/ar-sun-path/): Hold up your iPhone where you stand and see the sun’s path, the skyline and the peaks over the camera view.
- [Alignment search](https://sunreach.app/tools/alignment-search/): Pick a notch, a street or a tower and get every day the sun or moon passes through it, to the minute.
- [Photo spots](https://sunreach.app/tools/photo-spots/): 1,036 hand-picked viewpoints on every continent, nearest first, each with the light it is best in. A tap opens its plan.
- [Photo events](https://sunreach.app/tools/photo-events/): 98 light events on every continent, from Manhattanhenge to sea fog over Lake Bled, each explained: what you see, why it happens, how to shoot it.
- [Light alerts](https://sunreach.app/tools/light-alerts/): A note the evening before and a reminder before golden hour, blue hour or the sun reaching your spot.
- [Widgets, Live Activity and Watch](https://sunreach.app/tools/widgets-and-watch/): The next golden hour and today’s sun over your spot’s skyline on the Home Screen, Lock Screen and wrist.
- [Offline maps](https://sunreach.app/tools/offline-maps/): Download terrain and place names around a spot so the skyline and sun times still work without signal.

## About
- [Interactive 3D demo](https://sunreach.app/demo/): a preset Yosemite example in its own page; time slider, orbit and eye-level views
- [Roadmap](https://sunreach.app/roadmap/): planned upgrades, separate from current capabilities
- [3D sun path planner](https://sunreach.app/3d-sun-path-planner/): direction, height, terrain shade and a dated Yosemite example
- [About the data](https://sunreach.app/about-the-data/): definitions, terrain sources, accuracy, attributions
- [Attributions](https://sunreach.app/attributions/): source credits, licences, processing and current country coverage
- [Image credits](https://sunreach.app/image-credits/): authors, licences and sources of the photos
- [Privacy policy](https://sunreach.app/privacy/)
- [Terms of use](https://sunreach.app/terms/)
- [Support](https://sunreach.app/support/): contact and answers to common questions
- [Press kit](https://sunreach.app/press/): fact sheet, descriptions, logo, icon and screenshots