why do sunrise/sunset times change so slowly near the solstice?

Answer 1

Because the sunrise/sunset times are governed by the apparent movement of the Sun in the sky. Around the Solstices, the Sun's apparent position changes very little, which makes sense since the Sun's apparent path reverses direction from south to north, or north to south. The Sun's maximum rate of change in position is around the Equinoxes, which is why at those time the day to day difference in times of sunrise/sunset are the largest.

Answer 2

If you plot a graph of day length in hours through the year, you will see it is very like a sine wave. The rate of change at the top and bottom of sine waves is always close to zero.
If you pondered what changes the day length all would become clear. Most can't think in 3 dimensions so I will leave it out !

Answer 3

The Sun's apparent motion in the sky reverses direction twice a year like a race car going around the far turns. It's at these 'far turns' that the Sun's motion seems to slow, stop and reverse. The Sun isn't going anywhere, the Earth is winging around like a yo-yo on a string, wobbling as it goes, one trip per year...hope this helps.

Answer 4

I'm not sure, but I expect it's something to do with this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise_equation

I had a quick look at this once, but couldn't decipher it. I expect that if you differentiate that with respect to one of the variables (not sure which) then find the value at the solstice, you'll find it takes a minimum there (or around there).

Answer 5

Because the Sun's declination is changing very slowly around that time

Answer 6

Because of the position of the planet to the sun

Answer 7

Because it has to slow down,stop and then reverse,this is what takes time.