Real-Time Solar Observations

A system for real-time solar observation comprises an optical detector operable to detect sunlight and to produce image data from detected sunlight, a shadow detector operable to produce image data relating to a shadow cast by a reference object, and a controller operable to receive image data from the optical detector and from the shadow detector. The controller is operable to determine at least one of a sunrise period, a midday period and a sunset period in dependence upon received image data.