The Sun generally rises in the east and sets in the west. This is because the Earth rotates on its axis from west to east approximately every 24 hours, causing the Sun to appear to move across the sky from east to west

. However, the exact point on the horizon where the Sun rises changes throughout the year due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. The Sun rises due east only on two days of the year-the spring and fall equinoxes. On other days, it rises slightly north or south of due east. For example, at the summer solstice, the Sun rises at its most northeastern point, and at the winter solstice, it rises at its most southeastern point

. This shifting sunrise position varies depending on your latitude and the time of year, but the general pattern remains that the Sun rises in the eastern half of the horizon and sets in the western half. In summary:

• The Sun rises in the east due to Earth's rotation from west to east.
• It rises exactly due east only on the equinoxes (around March 20 and September 22).
• At other times, it rises north or south of due east, shifting gradually throughout the year.
• This variation is caused by Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the Sun

Thus, while "the Sun rises in the east" is a useful general rule, the precise direction varies seasonally.