Does SUN really Rise and Set?

Question

I wonder, we all say that SUN rises in east and sets in west. Is that so? I believe that, SUN does not rise or set, its only Earth which moves other way round from east to west ... and the SUN is stationery object. Then why do we call that SUN rises and sets? Can anyone clarify the word rise and set associated with SUN since billion of years?

Answer 1

Not really but apparently. The phenomena are only our view or vision & is location specific. If it is sunrise for a Londoner, it is almost noon time in India whereas the same sun appears to be setting for some one in New Zealand. If you are standing at South Pole on September 23rd to witness the Sun going round the Horizon irrespective of the time of your wrist watch, what would you interpret? It is the essence of observational Astronomy and Astronomers should be capable of proper interpretation of simple phenomena that appear puzzling to eye of man. Remember all motion is relative as you must have experienced. For the 'self' all others are moving not 'me'. Hence it is necessary to remove this 'ego' that imperceptibly creeps in without permission, refuses to see reality and makes its own weird interpretations.  

Answer 2

from out perspective on earth the sun does rise in the east and sets in the west. however from a global view, it rotates around earth so from the perspective, you can't say "rise/set" but instead "rotates."

Answer 3

No, the Earth rotates on it's axis.

Answer 4

No, the Earth rotates on its axis. Talking of the Sun rising and setting is just one of the many ways in which our thought and speech really hasn't changed much since we lived in caves.

Answer 5

You are right.The term rise and set is there because,in ancient times

when people were really dumb,they saw the sun moving from here to there and thus they  thought it was rising and setting.

Answer 6

Billion of years ago people never thought earth is rotating as well they thought Sun rise and set by its own.This has become a habit to us saying Sun rises in th east or vice-versa.Well, as people are becoming busy with there own stuff they never thought as you :).Good Question..!!

Answer 7

It's quit simple, the Sun is not going down, the horizons moving up.

Answer 8

no its we who rotate

sun is not stationery it also revolves n rotates but with respect to earth it's stationery because the earth also  goes around with it

the rise and set of the sun was a misconception just as the misconception that earth was cuboid not a sphere n one would fall off from the tip