The timing of sunrise and sunset is influenced by multiple factors, including the latitude of a location, the tilt of Earth's axis, and the time of year. While Tokyo and Los Angeles may be on similar latitudes, there are several reasons why the sun rises earlier and sets later in Tokyo during summer compared to Los Angeles:
Earth's axial tilt: Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane around the Sun. This tilt causes variations in daylight hours throughout the year. During the summer months, the hemisphere tilted towards the Sun receives more direct sunlight and experiences longer days. In the northern hemisphere summer, Tokyo receives more sunlight and longer daylight hours compared to Los Angeles.
Effect of latitude: Although Tokyo and Los Angeles are at similar latitudes, the precise location of a city within a time zone can affect the local sunrise and sunset times. The longitudinal positioning of the cities within their respective time zones can cause variations in the local times of sunrise and sunset.
Time zone differences: Tokyo and Los Angeles fall into different time zones, and time zones are typically established based on political or administrative boundaries rather than strictly following latitude lines. The standard time used in a specific time zone can cause variations in when the clock time corresponds to sunrise and sunset.
Local atmospheric conditions: Factors such as atmospheric refraction can also influence the apparent timing of sunrise and sunset. Refraction causes the Sun to appear slightly above the horizon even before it actually rises or after it has set, leading to extended periods of daylight.
Therefore, even though Tokyo and Los Angeles are at similar latitudes, the combination of Earth's axial tilt, the longitudinal positioning within their respective time zones, and atmospheric factors can result in differences in the timing of sunrise and sunset during summer between the two cities.