AR sun tracking
What is an AR sun tracker?
An AR sun tracker makes the future path of the sun visible in the real scene around you. Instead of reading a table and imagining the sky, you can point your phone and see where the sun will pass.
By Peter Szucs Last updated: July 14, 2026
Short answer
An AR sun tracker is an app that overlays the sun path, sun position, sunrise direction, and sunset direction on a live camera view. It combines location, date, time, device orientation, and solar position calculations to show where sunlight will come from in the real world.
AR sun tracker basics
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AR | Augmented reality overlay on the live camera view. |
| Location | Latitude and longitude set the local sun path. |
| Date and time | The sun path changes by season and time of day. |
| Device sensors | Compass and motion sensors align the overlay with the scene. |
| Solar calculation | The app calculates sun azimuth and elevation for the selected moment. |
How an AR sun tracker works
The app first needs a place, a date, and a time. From that, it calculates where the sun should be in the sky. The camera view then gives the user a real-world frame for that calculation.
Device orientation is the fragile part. If the phone compass is disturbed by metal, magnets, vehicles, or indoor interference, the AR overlay can appear shifted even when the sun calculation itself is correct.
That is why a good AR sun tracker is best understood as a visual planning aid. It turns solar position data into something you can reason about on location.
What it is useful for
AR sun tracking is useful when the question depends on the real scene: will the sun hit this window, pass behind that tree, light this wall, or backlight this subject?
It is often faster than reading only azimuth and elevation values because the view is tied to what you can see in front of you.
Common uses
Photography
Preview whether the sun will front-light, side-light, or backlight a subject before the shoot begins.
Home sunlight
Stand near a window or balcony and check where the sun will travel across the room or view.
Gardening
Check whether a bed, patio, or container area gets direct sun at the hours plants need it.
Limits
AR sun trackers depend on device orientation, local surroundings, and a clear understanding of the scene. Indoors, near metal, or under a blocked horizon, the overlay may need extra caution.
Check it in SunCast
Want to see the sun path in the real scene around you? SunCast includes AR sun tracking for iPhone and iPad.
Frequently asked questions
Does an AR sun tracker work indoors?
It can work indoors, but compass interference and blocked views can make the overlay less reliable. It is best used with a clear view of the sky or from the place where light enters.
Why can the AR sun path look offset?
The most common reason is device orientation. Magnetic interference, sensor drift, or poor calibration can shift the overlay even when the calculated sun position is correct.
Can an AR sun tracker show future dates?
Yes, if the app supports time travel. SunCast can show sun path planning for selected dates and times.
