I do not understand why the sun setting earlier always catches me by surprise in one blow. Every season. Logically, it sets a little earlier every night at this time of the year. The increments are known.
Why then does it seem I only ever notice it all at once?
"Oh wow, it's dark now early."
Why today? Why not yesterday? It is only different by the tiniest amount today from yesterday.
@PatrickoftheG Because, I believe, the days start to contract faster over time? I would guess the change in the length of sunlight is sinusoidal across time? So, a gradual change occurs at first, after summer solstice, and then the rate of change accelerates as the weeks pass. The rate of change will start to slow down again, the closer it gets to winter solstice.
@timberwraith @PatrickoftheG I think it also seems to change a lot, quickly, if you get a few sunny evenings in a row and then a cloudy one.
@JamesHMcLaren @timberwraith At least that part wasn't the case here, but I am shocked to learn this new thing.