Sunrise and Sunset Authentication: API Key Guide (2026)

Authentication overview

The Sunrise and Sunset API provides precise local sunrise and sunset times, along with other solar events, based on geographical coordinates and a specified date. To access this data, applications must authenticate their requests. The API primarily relies on an API key authentication model to manage access and track usage against defined quotas. This system is designed for simplicity, allowing developers to integrate solar data efficiently into various applications, from scheduling outdoor events to powering astronomical tools.

Authentication ensures that only authorized applications consume API resources and helps the service provider monitor and manage traffic effectively. For users accessing the free tier, which permits up to 1,000 requests per day, an API key is essential for tracking usage. Paid tiers, starting at $5 per month for 10,000 requests daily, also require an API key to differentiate subscription levels and manage rate limits accordingly. The API's straightforward approach with HTTP GET requests and JSON responses complements its simple authentication mechanism, making it accessible for a wide range of web and mobile development projects.

Supported authentication methods

The Sunrise and Sunset API uses API key authentication. This method involves including a unique, secret key with each API request to verify the requesting application's identity. API keys are generally used for client-side applications where user authentication is not required, but API access still needs to be restricted or monitored.

API Key

An API key is a token that a client provides when making API calls. It serves as a unique identifier and secret token for authentication. API keys are typically passed as a query parameter in the API request URL. This method is effective for identifying the calling project or user and for enforcing quotas and rate limits, thereby preventing abuse and ensuring fair usage across all consumers of the service. The Sunrise and Sunset API's design, which focuses on public, non-sensitive data, makes API key authentication a suitable and practical choice for its use cases.

While convenient, API keys should be handled with care, as their exposure can lead to unauthorized usage of your allocated requests. Best practices for managing API keys are crucial, even for APIs that return public data. This includes restricting where keys can be used and never embedding them directly into client-side code without appropriate safeguards.

Getting your credentials

To obtain an API key for the Sunrise and Sunset API, you need to register an account on their official website. The process typically involves a few steps:

1. Register for an Account: Navigate to the Sunrise and Sunset API page and locate the registration or sign-up option. You will likely provide an email address and create a password.
2. Verify Your Email: After registration, a verification email is often sent to confirm your identity. Follow the instructions in the email to activate your account.
3. Access Your Dashboard: Once your account is active, log in to access your personal dashboard. This is usually where API keys are generated and managed.
4. Generate Your API Key: Within the dashboard, there should be a section dedicated to API keys or credentials. Look for an option to 'Generate New Key' or 'Create API Key'. The system will then provide you with a unique alphanumeric string that serves as your API key.
5. Copy and Secure Your Key: Immediately copy the generated API key. It is recommended to store this key securely, for example, in environment variables or a secrets management system, rather than hardcoding it directly into your application's source code. The Google Cloud API key documentation provides insights into secure practices for handling API keys more generally.

The API key is crucial for associating your requests with your account and ensuring you remain within your allocated request limits, whether utilizing the free tier of 1,000 requests per day or a paid subscription. Losing or exposing your API key could result in unauthorized usage, potentially depleting your quota or incurring unexpected charges on a paid plan.

Authenticated request example

Once you have obtained your API key, you can include it in your API requests. For the Sunrise and Sunset API, the key is typically passed as a query parameter in the request URL. Here's an example using a hypothetical API key YOUR_API_KEY and demonstrating how to request sunrise and sunset times for a specific location and date:

HTTP GET Request Example

This example retrieves the sunrise and sunset times for a given latitude and longitude on a specific date. The key parameter is where your API key is inserted.

GET https://api.sunrise-sunset.org/json?lat=38.9072&lng=-77.0369&date=2026-06-15&formatted=0&key=YOUR_API_KEY HTTP/1.1
Host: api.sunrise-sunset.org

In this example:

• lat=38.9072: Specifies the latitude (e.g., Washington, D.C.).
• lng=-77.0369: Specifies the longitude (e.g., Washington, D.C.).
• date=2026-06-15: Sets the target date for the solar event calculation.
• formatted=0: Returns unformatted times to allow for custom formatting on the client side.
• key=YOUR_API_KEY: This is where you replace YOUR_API_KEY with the actual API key you obtained from your account dashboard.

Example Response (JSON)

A successful response for the above request would look similar to this:

{
  "results": {
    "sunrise": "4:42:07 AM",
    "sunset": "7:36:26 PM",
    "solar_noon": "12:09:16 PM",
    "day_length": "14:54:19",
    "civil_twilight_begin": "4:11:00 AM",
    "civil_twilight_end": "8:07:33 PM",
    "nautical_twilight_begin": "3:32:04 AM",
    "nautical_twilight_end": "8:46:29 PM",
    "astronomical_twilight_begin": "2:48:30 AM",
    "astronomical_twilight_end": "9:30:03 PM"
  },
  "status": "OK"
}

This JSON structure provides various solar event times, useful for applications requiring detailed astronomical data. The status: "OK" indicates a successful API call. Ensure your application parses this JSON response correctly to extract the necessary information.

Security best practices

While API key authentication for the Sunrise and Sunset API is relatively simple, adhering to security best practices is essential to protect your credentials and prevent unauthorized usage of your request quota. Even for APIs providing non-sensitive public data, managing your keys responsibly is critical.

• Never Hardcode API Keys: Avoid embedding your API key directly into your application's source code, especially for client-side applications (e.g., browser-based JavaScript). Hardcoding makes the key easily extractable, potentially leading to unauthorized usage. Instead, store keys in environment variables, configuration files, or a dedicated secrets management service.

• Use Environment Variables: For server-side applications, store your API key in environment variables (e.g., process.env.SUNRISE_SUNSET_API_KEY in Node.js, or similar patterns in Python, Java, etc.). This keeps the key out of your version control system and allows for easy rotation without code changes.

• Implement IP Whitelisting/Domain Restrictions: If the Sunrise and Sunset API supports it (check the official documentation for API key restrictions), configure your API key to only accept requests originating from specific IP addresses or HTTP referrers (domains). This significantly limits the utility of a stolen key, as it would only work from authorized locations.

• Store Keys Securely: If you must store keys on a file system, ensure the files are only readable by the necessary user or service account. Implement strict file permissions and avoid storing keys in publicly accessible locations.

• Rotate API Keys Regularly: Periodically generate new API keys and revoke old ones. This practice reduces the risk associated with a compromised key over time. If a key is suspected of being compromised, immediately revoke it and generate a new one.

• Monitor Usage: Regularly check your API usage statistics through your Sunrise and Sunset account dashboard. Unusual spikes in requests or usage from unexpected locations could indicate a compromised key. Promptly investigate any anomalies.

• Use HTTPS: Always make API requests over HTTPS. This encrypts the communication between your application and the API server, protecting your API key and other request parameters from interception during transit. While the Sunrise and Sunset API is accessible via HTTPS by default, confirming that your application is configured to use it is a critical step in overall communication security, as highlighted in the Mozilla Developer Network's explanation of HTTPS.

• Consider a Proxy for Client-Side Apps: For purely client-side applications (e.g., single-page applications running in a browser), consider routing API requests through your own backend proxy server. This allows you to store the API key securely on your server and forward requests, preventing the key from being exposed in the client's browser or network requests.

By implementing these security measures, developers can significantly reduce the risk of API key compromise and ensure the integrity and continuity of their applications relying on the Sunrise and Sunset API.