Sunrise at the Equator

[FatDan]

I assume that sunrise is exactly the same time every day of the year on the equator, as is sunset. 

I also assume that if you lived precisely on the equator at 0 degress longtitude (Prime Meridian), you would see half the sun on the horizon at 6.00am (sunrise) and again at 6.00pm (sunset) every day of the year.

Are my assumptions correct ? If not, why not ?

[Quizmonster]

The sun isn't permanently above the equator, as it "moves" as the year goes on between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, each at 23 degrees 30 minutes north and south respectively. Accordingly, sunrise and sunset do not occur at exactly the same time daily throughout the year on the equator any more than they do elsewhere on the earth's surface.

[BillyBB]

This is because the angle of the Earths rotation is 4` (?) off perpendicular to the plane of our orbit around the Sun. In July the North Pole is closer to the sun hence summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

[Clanad]

Actually, the earth is "tilted" 23.45 degrees from perpindicular to the plane of the ecliptic...

[caramba22242]

I agree with the others. If the equator was always nearest the sun there would be no seasons

[Hippy]

Seasons are not determined by the distance to the Sun, but by the angle at which that the Sun's rays hit the earth. When the rays are 90 degrees to the Earth's surface (sun directly in line with Earth's radius at the point of observation) then it will be the hottest.

[ganeagla]

hippy is right there, it is the angle of the sun that gives the seasons, not the distance.  The difference in the distance from sun from the pole to the equator is relatively tiny, but the strength  of the suns rays diminish as the square of the area, which gives the lower heat further up towards the poles.