What's longer in the morning and evening than it is at noon NYT

The crossword clue "What's longer in the morning and evening than it is at noon" with the answer "SHADOW" refers to the concept of a "shadow." Throughout the day, the length of a shadow changes due to the position of the sun.

In the morning and late afternoon, when the sun is low in the sky, shadows are longer because the angle of the sunlight creates more extended shadows. However, around noon, when the sun is at its highest point, shadows are at their shortest because the sunlight is coming from directly overhead. This variation in shadow length throughout the day is what makes "shadow" the correct answer to the clue.

The crossword clue "What's longer in the morning and evening than it is at noon" with the answer "DAYLIGHT" refers to the concept of how daylight varies throughout the day. During the morning and evening, the duration of daylight is longer compared to midday.

This variation is due to the position of the sun relative to the horizon. In the morning and evening, the sun's light has to travel through a thicker layer of the Earth's atmosphere, creating a longer path and making daylight appear extended. At noon, the sun is at its highest point in the sky, and the daylight period is shorter because the sun's rays are more direct and concentrated.

The crossword clue "What's longer in the morning and evening than it is at noon" with the answer "SUNSHINE" refers to the length of time sunlight is perceived during different times of the day. In the morning and evening, the sun is lower on the horizon, and the sunshine has to travel through a larger portion of the Earth's atmosphere, which scatters and stretches the light.

This scattering effect often creates the appearance of longer sunshine during these periods. In contrast, at noon, the sun is at its highest point and its rays are more direct, leading to a shorter duration of direct sunlight. Thus, sunshine is effectively longer in the morning and evening compared to noon.

The crossword clue "What's longer in the morning and evening than it is at noon" with the answer "LIGHT" refers to the duration of daylight, which varies throughout the day. In the morning and evening, the period of light is extended due to the lower angle of the sun, which causes light to be spread over a longer duration as it rises and sets.

This is because the sunlight has to travel through more of the Earth's atmosphere, creating longer periods of twilight. At noon, when the sun is at its highest point, the light is more direct and concentrated, resulting in a shorter span of visible daylight. Therefore, the duration of light is longer during the morning and evening than at noon.