How Long After Sunset Does It Get Dark?
Mia Chow · · Updated · Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The time it takes for it to get dark after sunset can vary depending on your location, time of year, and other factors. In general, the transition from sunset to complete darkness typically takes about 70 to 100 minutes, and up to two hours or more at higher latitudes. This period is known as twilight and is divided into three phases:
Civil Twilight
This is the period just after sunset when there is still enough natural light for most outdoor activities without the need for artificial lighting. Civil twilight can last for about 30 minutes.
Nautical Twilight
Nautical twilight follows civil twilight and is the time when the brighter stars become visible while the horizon can still be distinguished at sea — the combination that traditionally allowed sailors to navigate by the stars. By the end of nautical twilight, the horizon is no longer visible. Nautical twilight can last for another 30 to 40 minutes.
Astronomical Twilight
Astronomical twilight is the darkest phase of twilight, when the last faint traces of sunlight fade from the sky. Once it ends, the sky is completely dark, making it ideal for astronomical observations. It typically lasts another 30 to 45 minutes, ending roughly an hour and a half to two hours after sunset at mid-latitudes.
Keep in mind that these times can vary based on your location and the time of year. In some high-latitude locations, especially during the summer months, twilight can last much longer, and it may not get completely dark for a significant portion of the night. Conversely, in some equatorial or low-latitude regions, twilight may be relatively short, and it can get dark fairly quickly after sunset.
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