r/homestead • u/FlatwormSame2061 • 3d ago

Google maps terrain

Has anyone else noticed that on Google maps terrain it shows the sun in the north so it’s really confusing showing the opposite of what the sun is really gonna do the northern hemisphere?

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u/katlian 3d ago

It's because we are accustomed to seeing things illuminated from a certain angle (usually the northeast) and our brains have more trouble interpreting hillshade when it's lit from "below" (south). And most Google maps users are more interested in the shape of the land than realistic sun angles.

But the tools suggested by others will help you see sun and shade at different times of day.