Only in the desert

Backyard sun check

Which way should the backyard face? The real Tucson sun path for any month and hour, and how much of the yard is in shade.

Use it now →

Only in the desert · Morgan’s sun check

Which way should your backyard face?

Only in the desert does it matter this much. Watch the real Tucson sun cross a backyard on a July afternoon, then try any month and hour.

Of the yard in shade

Sun height

Sun direction

Backyard faces

Month

JanJulyDec

Time

5 am5:00 pm8:30 pm

Shade, 3 to 8 pm

3 pm45678 pm

Behind the numbers

How it works

Real sun math

The sun’s height and direction are calculated for Tucson’s latitude and longitude (32.22° N, 110.97° W) on Arizona time, for the middle of the month you choose.

Shade on the yard

A simple house is placed in the middle of the lot. Its shadow is drawn for the sun’s position, and the tool reports how much of the yard on the side you chose is in shade.

The afternoon strip

Shade from 3:00 to 8:00 pm, when Tucson backyards get the most use and the most heat.

Play the day

Watch the sun move from early morning to evening.

Adjust it

What each input means

Yard faces	North, south, east or west.
Month	January to December.
Time of day	Early morning to evening.

When to use it

Made for

Out-of-town buyers comparing listings
Planning a pool, patio or garden
Understanding why east-facing yards are a Tucson favorite

Part of a guided path

Buying

Choose the part of town that fits your life first: golf, trails, dining, space, views. Then be first to the right homes, sent to you personally by Morgan.