What is high noon?

High Noon

High noon generally refers to the moment when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky during the day. This occurs around midday and is when a vertical object casts its shortest shadow. The exact time of high noon varies depending on the observer's location, the time of year, and the equation of time.

However, the term "high noon" is perhaps most strongly associated with the American Old West, particularly in the context of a gunfight or showdown. It became a popular trope in Western films and literature, often used to create suspense and drama. The image of two adversaries meeting in the dusty streets of a Western town at high%20noon for a duel is deeply ingrained in popular culture. The 1952 film High Noon, starring Gary Cooper, is a classic example that solidified this association. The film revolves around a marshal facing a gang of outlaws, with the climactic showdown set at noon. This movie is a main source of this association.