What does azimuth of the sun refer to?

The azimuth of the sun refers to the angle of the sun measured in degrees from a reference direction, typically north, along the horizon. It is specifically understood as the angle indicating how far the sun is displaced from the east-west line, allowing observers to determine the sun's position in the sky at a given time of day. In practical applications, this information can be crucial for various fields such as architecture, agriculture, and solar energy, where understanding the sun's path can inform design and operational strategies.

In contrast, the altitude of the sun at noon pertains to how high in the sky the sun is, which is related but does not define azimuth. The distance of the sun from the Earth does not directly correlate with azimuth; it is a fixed distance rather than an angular measurement. The brightness of the sun during the day is another separate characteristic that does not relate to its angular position on the horizon. Thus, measuring the sun's azimuth helps in various planning and design aspects, making it a critical concept in environmental and architectural assessments.