What is 30 minutes before sunrise called?

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Detailed Solution

Thirty minutes before sunrise is commonly called civil twilight, and it is part of the broader period known as dawn. Before the Sun rises, the sky slowly brightens. This early light is scattered sunlight when the Sun is still below the horizon.

Astronomers and navigators divide this pre-sunrise light into three stages: astronomical, nautical, and civil twilight. The exact start time of each stage depends on how many degrees the Sun is below the horizon. About thirty minutes before sunrise, the Sun is often within six degrees below the horizon, which is the range of civil twilight for many locations and dates.

Twilight stages before sunrise

Stage	Sun’s position	What it looks like
Astronomical dawn	Sun > 18° below horizon moving upward	Very faint light; most stars still visible
Nautical dawn	Sun > 12° below horizon	Horizon becomes visible at sea
Civil dawn / Civil twilight	Sun > 6° below horizon	Enough light for many outdoor tasks without artificial light

Because sunrise time changes with season and location, thirty minutes before sunrise is not always exactly the boundary of civil twilight, but it often falls within it. In casual speech, people also say “early dawn,” “pre-dawn,” or simply “dawn.” In weather apps and almanacs, you will usually see “civil twilight” to describe the half hour before sunrise for practical planning.

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