What causes the sun to set at different times throughout the year?

The sun sets at different times throughout the year primarily due to the Earth's elliptical orbit and its axial tilt. The axial tilt, which is approximately 23.5 degrees, affects the angle at which sunlight hits different parts of the Earth as it orbits the sun. This tilt is responsible for the changing seasons and also influences the length of daylight.

As the Earth moves along its elliptical path around the sun, these factors lead to variations in the sun's path across the sky. During summer months, the sun takes a longer, higher path, resulting in later sunsets. Conversely, in winter, the sun's path is shorter and lower, leading to earlier sunsets. Therefore, the combination of the Earth's axial tilt and the shape of its orbit creates the seasonal changes in daylight hours and sunset times.