The point directly overhead in the sky. The sun reaches near-zenith at solar noon in the tropics.
basicWhat is Zenith?
In the tropics, the sun passes very close to the zenith (directly overhead) twice per year — on the dates when the subsolar point crosses the location’s latitude. For locations near the equator (Singapore, Indonesia), the sun is near-zenith for much of the year, which is why tropical UV radiation is so intense and shadows are very short at midday. The zenith angle of the sun is the primary factor determining how much solar radiation reaches the surface.
Key points
- The point directly overhead in the sky. The sun reaches near-zenith at solar noon in the tropics.
- Category: basic
Related terms
See also: zenith is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.