diff --git a/examples/example/misc/sunLightExample.js b/examples/example/misc/sunLightExample.js
index e6c06bb1ae..e4826dcfeb 100644
--- a/examples/example/misc/sunLightExample.js
+++ b/examples/example/misc/sunLightExample.js
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ panel.newSlider("Year Time", 0, 364,
 );
 
 panel.newSlider("Day Time", 0, 24, 
-    function(value) { Scene.setStageDayTime(value); },
+        
+    function(value) { Scene.setStageDayTime(value); panel.update("Light Direction"); },
     function() { return Scene.getStageDayTime(); },
     function(value) {
         var hour = Math.floor(value);
@@ -72,12 +73,36 @@ function runStageTime() {
 }
 Script.setInterval(runStageTime, tickTackPeriod);
 
+panel.newCheckbox("Enable Earth Sun Model", 
+    function(value) { Scene.setStageEarthSunModelEnable((value != 0)); },
+    function() { return Scene.isStageEarthSunModelEnabled(); },
+    function(value) { return (value); }
+);
+
+panel.newDirectionBox("Light Direction", 
+    function(value) { Scene.setSunDirection(value); },
+    function() { return Scene.getSunDirection(); },
+    function(value) { return value.x.toFixed(2) + "," + value.y.toFixed(2) + "," + value.z.toFixed(2); }
+);
+
 panel.newSlider("Light Intensity", 0.0, 5, 
     function(value) { Scene.setSunIntensity(value); },
     function() { return Scene.getSunIntensity(); },
     function(value) { return (value).toFixed(2); }
 );
 
+panel.newSlider("Ambient Light Intensity", 0.0, 1.0, 
+    function(value) { Scene.setSunAmbientIntensity(value); },
+    function() { return Scene.getSunAmbientIntensity(); },
+    function(value) { return (value).toFixed(2); }
+);
+
+panel.newColorBox("Light Color", 
+    function(value) { Scene.setSunColor(value); },
+    function() { return Scene.getSunColor(); },
+    function(value) { return (value); } // "(" + value.x + "," = value.y + "," + value.z + ")"; }
+);
+
 Controller.mouseMoveEvent.connect(function panelMouseMoveEvent(event) { return panel.mouseMoveEvent(event); });
 Controller.mousePressEvent.connect( function panelMousePressEvent(event) { return panel.mousePressEvent(event); });
 Controller.mouseReleaseEvent.connect(function(event) { return panel.mouseReleaseEvent(event); });
diff --git a/examples/utilities/tools/cookies.js b/examples/utilities/tools/cookies.js
index 205b19c9f9..0182bf8db0 100755
--- a/examples/utilities/tools/cookies.js
+++ b/examples/utilities/tools/cookies.js
@@ -12,6 +12,129 @@
 
 // The Slider class
 Slider = function(x,y,width,thumbSize) {
+    this.background = Overlays.addOverlay("text", {
+                    backgroundColor: { red: 125, green: 125, blue: 255 },
+                    x: x,
+                    y: y,
+                    width: width,
+                    height: thumbSize,
+                    alpha: 1.0,
+                    backgroundAlpha: 0.5,
+                    visible: true
+                });
+    this.thumb = Overlays.addOverlay("text", {
+                    backgroundColor: { red: 255, green: 255, blue: 255 },
+                    x: x,
+                    y: y,
+                    width: thumbSize,
+                    height: thumbSize,
+                    alpha: 1.0,
+                    backgroundAlpha: 1.0,
+                    visible: true
+                });
+
+
+    this.thumbSize = thumbSize;
+    this.thumbHalfSize = 0.5 * thumbSize;
+
+    this.minThumbX = x + this.thumbHalfSize;
+    this.maxThumbX = x + width - this.thumbHalfSize;
+    this.thumbX = this.minThumbX;
+
+    this.minValue = 0.0;
+    this.maxValue = 1.0;
+
+    this.clickOffsetX = 0;
+    this.isMoving = false;
+
+    this.updateThumb = function() { 
+        thumbTruePos = this.thumbX - 0.5 * this.thumbSize;
+        Overlays.editOverlay(this.thumb, { x: thumbTruePos } );
+    };
+
+    this.isClickableOverlayItem = function(item) {
+        return (item == this.thumb) || (item == this.background);
+    };
+
+    this.onMouseMoveEvent = function(event) { 
+        if (this.isMoving) {
+            newThumbX = event.x - this.clickOffsetX;
+            if (newThumbX < this.minThumbX) {
+                newThumbX = this.minThumbX;
+            }
+            if (newThumbX > this.maxThumbX) {
+                newThumbX = this.maxThumbX;
+            }
+            this.thumbX = newThumbX;
+            this.updateThumb();
+            this.onValueChanged(this.getValue());
+        }
+    };
+
+    this.onMousePressEvent = function(event, clickedOverlay) {
+        if (!this.isClickableOverlayItem(clickedOverlay)) {
+            this.isMoving = false;
+            return;
+        }
+        this.isMoving = true;
+        var clickOffset = event.x - this.thumbX;
+        if ((clickOffset > -this.thumbHalfSize) && (clickOffset < this.thumbHalfSize)) {
+            this.clickOffsetX = clickOffset;
+        } else {
+            this.clickOffsetX = 0;
+            this.thumbX = event.x;
+            this.updateThumb();
+            this.onValueChanged(this.getValue());
+        }
+
+    };
+
+    this.onMouseReleaseEvent = function(event) {
+        this.isMoving = false;
+    };
+
+    // Public members:
+
+    this.setNormalizedValue = function(value) {
+        if (value < 0.0) {
+            this.thumbX = this.minThumbX;
+        } else if (value > 1.0) {
+            this.thumbX = this.maxThumbX;
+        } else {
+            this.thumbX = value * (this.maxThumbX - this.minThumbX) + this.minThumbX;
+        }
+        this.updateThumb();
+    };
+    this.getNormalizedValue = function() {
+        return (this.thumbX - this.minThumbX) / (this.maxThumbX - this.minThumbX);
+    };
+
+    this.setValue = function(value) {
+        var normValue = (value - this.minValue) / (this.maxValue - this.minValue);
+        this.setNormalizedValue(normValue);
+    };
+
+    this.getValue = function() {
+        return this.getNormalizedValue() * (this.maxValue - this.minValue) + this.minValue;
+    };
+
+    this.onValueChanged = function(value) {};
+
+    this.destroy = function() {
+        Overlays.deleteOverlay(this.background);
+        Overlays.deleteOverlay(this.thumb);
+    };
+
+    this.setThumbColor = function(color) {
+        Overlays.editOverlay(this.thumb, {backgroundColor: { red: color.x*255, green: color.y*255, blue: color.z*255 }});
+    };
+    this.setBackgroundColor = function(color) {
+        Overlays.editOverlay(this.background, {backgroundColor: { red: color.x*255, green: color.y*255, blue: color.z*255 }});
+    };
+}
+
+// The Checkbox class
+Checkbox = function(x,y,width,thumbSize) {
 
     this.thumb = Overlays.addOverlay("text", {
                     backgroundColor: { red: 255, green: 255, blue: 255 },
@@ -52,6 +175,10 @@ Slider = function(x,y,width,thumbSize) {
         Overlays.editOverlay(this.thumb, { x: thumbTruePos } );
     };
 
+    this.isClickableOverlayItem = function(item) {
+        return item == this.background;
+    };
+
     this.onMouseMoveEvent = function(event) { 
         if (this.isMoving) {
             newThumbX = event.x - this.clickOffsetX;
@@ -67,7 +194,11 @@ Slider = function(x,y,width,thumbSize) {
         }
     };
 
-    this.onMousePressEvent = function(event) {
+    this.onMousePressEvent = function(event, clickedOverlay) {
+        if (this.background != clickedOverlay) {
+            this.isMoving = false;
+            return;
+        }
         this.isMoving = true;
         var clickOffset = event.x - this.thumbX;
         if ((clickOffset > -this.thumbHalfSize) && (clickOffset < this.thumbHalfSize)) {
@@ -118,6 +249,167 @@ Slider = function(x,y,width,thumbSize) {
     };
 }
 
+// The ColorBox class
+ColorBox = function(x,y,width,thumbSize) {
+    var self = this;
+    
+    var slideHeight = thumbSize / 3;
+    var sliderWidth = width;
+    this.red = new Slider(x, y, width, slideHeight);
+    this.green = new Slider(x, y + slideHeight, width, slideHeight);
+    this.blue = new Slider(x, y + 2 * slideHeight, width, slideHeight);
+    this.red.setBackgroundColor({x: 1, y: 0, z: 0});
+    this.green.setBackgroundColor({x: 0, y: 1, z: 0});
+    this.blue.setBackgroundColor({x: 0, y: 0, z: 1});
+
+    this.isClickableOverlayItem = function(item) {
+        return this.red.isClickableOverlayItem(item) 
+            || this.green.isClickableOverlayItem(item)
+            || this.blue.isClickableOverlayItem(item);
+    };
+
+    this.onMouseMoveEvent = function(event) { 
+        this.red.onMouseMoveEvent(event);
+        this.green.onMouseMoveEvent(event);
+        this.blue.onMouseMoveEvent(event);
+    };
+
+    this.onMousePressEvent = function(event, clickedOverlay) {
+        this.red.onMousePressEvent(event, clickedOverlay);
+        if (this.red.isMoving) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        this.green.onMousePressEvent(event, clickedOverlay);
+        if (this.green.isMoving) {
+            return;
+        }
+        
+        this.blue.onMousePressEvent(event, clickedOverlay);
+    };
+
+    this.onMouseReleaseEvent = function(event) {
+        this.red.onMouseReleaseEvent(event);
+        this.green.onMouseReleaseEvent(event);
+        this.blue.onMouseReleaseEvent(event);
+    };
+
+    this.setterFromWidget = function(value) {
+        var color = self.getValue();
+        self.onValueChanged(color);
+        self.updateRGBSliders(color);
+    };
+
+    this.red.onValueChanged = this.setterFromWidget;
+    this.green.onValueChanged = this.setterFromWidget;
+    this.blue.onValueChanged = this.setterFromWidget;
+
+    this.updateRGBSliders = function(color) {
+        this.red.setThumbColor({x: color.x, y: 0, z: 0});
+        this.green.setThumbColor({x: 0, y: color.y, z: 0});
+        this.blue.setThumbColor({x: 0, y: 0, z: color.z});
+    };
+
+    // Public members:
+    this.setValue = function(value) {
+        this.red.setValue(value.x);
+        this.green.setValue(value.y);
+        this.blue.setValue(value.z);
+        this.updateRGBSliders(value);  
+    };
+
+    this.getValue = function() {
+        var value = {x:this.red.getValue(), y:this.green.getValue(),z:this.blue.getValue()};
+        return value;
+    };
+
+    this.destroy = function() {
+        this.red.destroy();
+        this.green.destroy();
+        this.blue.destroy();
+    };
+
+    this.onValueChanged = function(value) {};
+}
+
+// The DirectionBox class
+DirectionBox = function(x,y,width,thumbSize) {
+    var self = this;
+    
+    var slideHeight = thumbSize / 2;
+    var sliderWidth = width;
+    this.yaw = new Slider(x, y, width, slideHeight);
+    this.pitch = new Slider(x, y + slideHeight, width, slideHeight);
+    
+    this.yaw.setThumbColor({x: 1, y: 0, z: 0});
+    this.yaw.minValue = -180;
+    this.yaw.maxValue = +180;
+
+    this.pitch.setThumbColor({x: 0, y: 0, z: 1});
+    this.pitch.minValue = -1;
+    this.pitch.maxValue = +1;
+
+    this.isClickableOverlayItem = function(item) {
+        return this.yaw.isClickableOverlayItem(item) 
+            || this.pitch.isClickableOverlayItem(item);
+    };
+
+    this.onMouseMoveEvent = function(event) { 
+        this.yaw.onMouseMoveEvent(event);
+        this.pitch.onMouseMoveEvent(event);
+    };
+
+    this.onMousePressEvent = function(event, clickedOverlay) {
+        this.yaw.onMousePressEvent(event, clickedOverlay);
+        if (this.yaw.isMoving) {
+            return;
+        }
+        this.pitch.onMousePressEvent(event, clickedOverlay);
+    };
+
+    this.onMouseReleaseEvent = function(event) {
+        this.yaw.onMouseReleaseEvent(event);
+        this.pitch.onMouseReleaseEvent(event);
+    };
+
+    this.setterFromWidget = function(value) {
+        var yawPitch = self.getValue();
+        self.onValueChanged(yawPitch);
+    };
+
+    this.yaw.onValueChanged = this.setterFromWidget;
+    this.pitch.onValueChanged = this.setterFromWidget;
+
+    // Public members:
+    this.setValue = function(direction) {
+        var flatXZ = Math.sqrt(direction.x * direction.x + direction.z * direction.z);
+        if (flatXZ > 0.0) {
+            var flatX = direction.x / flatXZ;
+            var flatZ = direction.z / flatXZ;
+            var yaw = Math.acos(flatX) * 180 / Math.PI;
+            if (flatZ < 0) {
+                yaw = -yaw;
+            }
+            this.yaw.setValue(yaw);
+        }
+        this.pitch.setValue(direction.y);
+    };
+
+    this.getValue = function() {
+        var dirZ = this.pitch.getValue();
+        var yaw = this.yaw.getValue() * Math.PI / 180;
+        var cosY = Math.sqrt(1 - dirZ*dirZ);
+        var value = {x:cosY * Math.cos(yaw), y:dirZ, z: cosY * Math.sin(yaw)};
+        return value;
+    };
+
+    this.destroy = function() {
+        this.yaw.destroy();
+        this.pitch.destroy();
+    };
+
+    this.onValueChanged = function(value) {};
+}
 
 var textFontSize = 16;
 
@@ -167,7 +459,12 @@ function PanelItem(name, setter, getter, displayer, x, y, textWidth, valueWidth,
     };
     this.setterFromWidget = function(value) {
         setter(value);
-        Overlays.editOverlay(this.value, {text: this.displayer(getter())});    
+        // ANd loop back the value after the final setter has been called
+        var value = getter();
+        if (this.widget) {
+            this.widget.setValue(value);
+        }        
+        Overlays.editOverlay(this.value, {text: this.displayer(value)});    
     };
 
     
@@ -219,9 +516,9 @@ Panel = function(x, y) {
         for (var i in this.items) {
             var widget = this.items[i].widget;
 
-            if (clickedOverlay == widget.background) {
+            if (widget.isClickableOverlayItem(clickedOverlay)) {
                 this.activeWidget = widget;
-                this.activeWidget.onMousePressEvent(event);        
+                this.activeWidget.onMousePressEvent(event, clickedOverlay);        
               //  print("clicked... widget=" + i);        
                 break;
             }    
@@ -237,21 +534,63 @@ Panel = function(x, y) {
 
     this.newSlider = function(name, minValue, maxValue, setValue, getValue, displayValue) {
 
-        var sliderItem = new PanelItem(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue, this.x, this.nextY, textWidth, valueWidth, rawHeight);
+        var item = new PanelItem(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue, this.x, this.nextY, textWidth, valueWidth, rawHeight);
 
         var slider = new Slider(this.widgetX, this.nextY, widgetWidth, rawHeight);
         slider.minValue = minValue;
         slider.maxValue = maxValue;
-        slider.onValueChanged = function(value) { sliderItem.setterFromWidget(value); };
 
 
-        sliderItem.widget = slider;
-        sliderItem.setter(getValue());        
-        this.items[name] = sliderItem;
+        item.widget = slider;
+        item.widget.onValueChanged = function(value) { item.setterFromWidget(value); };
+        item.setter(getValue());        
+        this.items[name] = item;
         this.nextY += rawYDelta;
       //  print("created Item... slider=" + name);     
     };
 
+    this.newCheckbox = function(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue) {
+
+        var item = new PanelItem(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue, this.x, this.nextY, textWidth, valueWidth, rawHeight);
+
+        var checkbox = new Checkbox(this.widgetX, this.nextY, widgetWidth, rawHeight);
+ 
+        item.widget = checkbox;
+        item.widget.onValueChanged = function(value) { item.setterFromWidget(value); };
+        item.setter(getValue());        
+        this.items[name] = item;
+        this.nextY += rawYDelta;
+      //  print("created Item... slider=" + name);     
+    };
+
+    this.newColorBox = function(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue) {
+
+        var item = new PanelItem(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue, this.x, this.nextY, textWidth, valueWidth, rawHeight);
+
+        var colorBox = new ColorBox(this.widgetX, this.nextY, widgetWidth, rawHeight);
+
+        item.widget = colorBox;
+        item.widget.onValueChanged = function(value) { item.setterFromWidget(value); };
+        item.setter(getValue());      
+        this.items[name] = item;
+        this.nextY += rawYDelta;
+      //  print("created Item... colorBox=" + name);     
+    };
+
+    this.newDirectionBox= function(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue) {
+
+        var item = new PanelItem(name, setValue, getValue, displayValue, this.x, this.nextY, textWidth, valueWidth, rawHeight);
+
+        var directionBox = new DirectionBox(this.widgetX, this.nextY, widgetWidth, rawHeight);
+
+        item.widget = directionBox;
+        item.widget.onValueChanged = function(value) { item.setterFromWidget(value); };
+        item.setter(getValue());      
+        this.items[name] = item;
+        this.nextY += rawYDelta;
+      //  print("created Item... directionBox=" + name);     
+    };
+
     this.destroy = function() {
         for (var i in this.items) {
             this.items[i].destroy();  
@@ -273,6 +612,15 @@ Panel = function(x, y) {
         }
         return null;
     }
+
+    this.update = function(name) {
+        var item = this.items[name];
+        if (item != null) {
+            return item.setter(item.getter());
+        }
+        return null;
+    }
+
 };
 
 
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 0227003cb1..3e7b17764d 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -3048,7 +3048,7 @@ void Application::displaySide(Camera& theCamera, bool selfAvatarOnly, RenderArgs
     {
         DependencyManager::get<DeferredLightingEffect>()->setAmbientLightMode(getRenderAmbientLight());
         auto skyStage = DependencyManager::get<SceneScriptingInterface>()->getSkyStage();
-        DependencyManager::get<DeferredLightingEffect>()->setGlobalLight(skyStage->getSunLight()->getDirection(), skyStage->getSunLight()->getColor(), skyStage->getSunLight()->getIntensity());
+        DependencyManager::get<DeferredLightingEffect>()->setGlobalLight(skyStage->getSunLight()->getDirection(), skyStage->getSunLight()->getColor(), skyStage->getSunLight()->getIntensity(), skyStage->getSunLight()->getAmbientIntensity());
         DependencyManager::get<DeferredLightingEffect>()->setGlobalAtmosphere(skyStage->getAtmosphere());
 
         PROFILE_RANGE("DeferredLighting"); 
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Light.cpp b/libraries/model/src/model/Light.cpp
index ea77412140..e8c01c68aa 100755
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Light.cpp
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Light.cpp
@@ -64,6 +64,10 @@ void Light::setIntensity(float intensity) {
     editSchema()._intensity = intensity;
 }
 
+void Light::setAmbientIntensity(float intensity) {
+    editSchema()._ambientIntensity = intensity;
+}
+
 void Light::setMaximumRadius(float radius) {
     if (radius <= 0.f) {
         radius = 1.0f;
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Light.h b/libraries/model/src/model/Light.h
index 8f6c663668..30e3a8edad 100755
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Light.h
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Light.h
@@ -244,6 +244,10 @@ public:
     void setShowContour(float show);
     float getShowContour() const { return getSchema()._control.w; }
 
+    // If the light has an ambient (Indirect) component, then the Ambientintensity can be used to control its contribution to the lighting
+    void setAmbientIntensity(float intensity);
+    float getAmbientIntensity() const { return getSchema()._ambientIntensity; }
+
     // Spherical Harmonics storing the Ambien lighting approximation used for the Sun typed light
     void setAmbientSphere(const SphericalHarmonics& sphere) { _ambientSphere = sphere; }
     const SphericalHarmonics& getAmbientSphere() const { return _ambientSphere; }
@@ -254,14 +258,14 @@ public:
     public:
         Vec4 _position{0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f}; 
         Vec3 _direction{0.0f, 0.0f, -1.0f};
-        float _spare0{0.0f};
+        float _ambientIntensity{0.0f};
         Color _color{1.0f};
         float _intensity{1.0f};
         Vec4 _attenuation{1.0f};
         Vec4 _spot{0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 3.0f};
         Vec4 _shadow{0.0f};
 
-        Vec4 _control{0.0f};
+        Vec4 _control{0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f};
 
         Schema() {}
     };
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Light.slh b/libraries/model/src/model/Light.slh
index 41c6e075cf..1aaf0e8327 100644
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Light.slh
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Light.slh
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ vec3 getLightDirection(Light l) { return l._direction.xyz; } // direction is -Z
 
 vec3 getLightColor(Light l) { return l._color.rgb; }
 float getLightIntensity(Light l) { return l._color.w; }
+float getLightAmbientIntensity(Light l) { return l._direction.w; }
 
 float evalLightAttenuation(Light l, float r) {
     float d = max(r - l._attenuation.x, 0.0);
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.cpp b/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.cpp
index b72aa16497..68c13e5a7c 100644
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.cpp
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.cpp
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ SunSkyStage::SunSkyStage() :
     _sunLight->setType(Light::SUN);
  
     setSunIntensity(1.0f);
+    setSunAmbientIntensity(0.5f);
     setSunColor(Vec3(1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f));
 
     // Default origin location is a special place in the world...
@@ -249,12 +250,26 @@ void SunSkyStage::setOriginLocation(float longitude, float latitude, float altit
     invalidate();
 }
 
+void SunSkyStage::setEarthSunModelEnable(bool isEnabled) {
+    _earthSunModelEnable = isEnabled;
+    invalidate();
+}
+
 void SunSkyStage::setSunColor(const Vec3& color) {
     _sunLight->setColor(color);
 }
 void SunSkyStage::setSunIntensity(float intensity) {
     _sunLight->setIntensity(intensity);
 }
+void SunSkyStage::setSunAmbientIntensity(float intensity) {
+    _sunLight->setAmbientIntensity(intensity);
+}
+
+void SunSkyStage::setSunDirection(const Vec3& direction) {
+    if (!isEarthSunModelEnabled()) {
+        _sunLight->setDirection(direction);
+    }
+}
 
 // THe sun declinaison calculus is taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_of_the_Sun
 double evalSunDeclinaison(double dayNumber) {
@@ -271,19 +286,19 @@ void SunSkyStage::updateGraphicsObject() const {
     // And update the sunLAtitude as the declinaison depending of the time of the year
     _earthSunModel.setSunLatitude(evalSunDeclinaison(_yearTime)); 
 
-    Vec3d sunLightDir = -_earthSunModel.getSurfaceSunDir();
-    _sunLight->setDirection(Vec3(sunLightDir.x, sunLightDir.y, sunLightDir.z));
+    if (isEarthSunModelEnabled()) {
+        Vec3d sunLightDir = -_earthSunModel.getSurfaceSunDir();
+        _sunLight->setDirection(Vec3(sunLightDir.x, sunLightDir.y, sunLightDir.z));
 
-    double originAlt = _earthSunModel.getAltitude();
-    _sunLight->setPosition(Vec3(0.0f, originAlt, 0.0f));
+        double originAlt = _earthSunModel.getAltitude();
+        _sunLight->setPosition(Vec3(0.0f, originAlt, 0.0f));
+    }
 
     static int firstTime = 0;
     if (firstTime == 0) {
         firstTime++;
         gpu::Shader::makeProgram(*(_skyPipeline->getProgram()));
-    
     }
-
 }
 
 void SunSkyStage::setSkybox(const SkyboxPointer& skybox) {
diff --git a/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.h b/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.h
index 30c96259ca..eca290b852 100644
--- a/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.h
+++ b/libraries/model/src/model/Stage.h
@@ -203,12 +203,22 @@ public:
     float getOriginLongitude() const { return _earthSunModel.getLongitude(); }
     float getOriginSurfaceAltitude() const { return _earthSunModel.getAltitude(); }
 
+    // Enable / disable the effect of the time and location on the sun direction and color
+    void setEarthSunModelEnable(bool isEnabled);
+    bool isEarthSunModelEnabled() const { return _earthSunModelEnable; }
+
     // Sun properties
     void setSunColor(const Vec3& color);
     const Vec3& getSunColor() const { return getSunLight()->getColor(); }
     void setSunIntensity(float intensity);
     float getSunIntensity() const { return getSunLight()->getIntensity(); }
+    void setSunAmbientIntensity(float intensity);
+    float getSunAmbientIntensity() const { return getSunLight()->getAmbientIntensity(); }
 
+    // The sun direction is expressed in the world space
+    void setSunDirection(const Vec3& direction);
+    const Vec3& getSunDirection() const { return getSunLight()->getDirection(); }
+
     LightPointer getSunLight() const { valid(); return _sunLight;  }
     AtmospherePointer getAtmosphere() const { valid(); return _atmosphere;  }
  
@@ -223,10 +233,10 @@ protected:
 
     gpu::PipelinePointer _skyPipeline;
 
-    float _dayTime;
-    int _yearTime;
-
+    float _dayTime = 12.0f;
+    int _yearTime = 0;
     mutable EarthSunModel _earthSunModel;
+    bool _earthSunModelEnable = true;
  
     mutable bool _invalid = true;
     void invalidate() const { _invalid = true; }
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredGlobalLight.slh b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredGlobalLight.slh
index ecb1f503c7..cbf7c31d1f 100755
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredGlobalLight.slh
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredGlobalLight.slh
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ vec3 evalAmbienGlobalColor(float shadowAttenuation, vec3 position, vec3 normal,
     vec4 fragEyeVector = invViewMat * vec4(-position, 0.0);
     vec3 fragEyeDir = normalize(fragEyeVector.xyz);
 
-    vec3 color = diffuse.rgb * getLightColor(light) * 0.5;
+    vec3 color = diffuse.rgb * getLightColor(light) * getLightAmbientIntensity(light);
 
     vec4 shading = evalFragShading(fragNormal, -getLightDirection(light), fragEyeDir, specular, gloss);
 
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ vec3 evalAmbienSphereGlobalColor(float shadowAttenuation, vec3 position, vec3 no
     vec3 fragEyeDir = normalize(fragEyeVector.xyz);
     
     vec3 ambientNormal = fragNormal.xyz;
-    vec3 color = diffuse.rgb * 0.5 * evalSphericalLight(ambientSphere, ambientNormal).xyz;
+    vec3 color = diffuse.rgb * evalSphericalLight(ambientSphere, ambientNormal).xyz * getLightAmbientIntensity(light);
 
     vec4 shading = evalFragShading(fragNormal, -getLightDirection(light), fragEyeDir, specular, gloss);
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ vec3 evalLightmappedColor(float shadowAttenuation, vec3 normal, vec3 diffuse, ve
     vec3 diffuseLight = lightAttenuation * lightmap;
 
     // ambient is a tiny percentage of the lightmap and only when in the shadow
-    vec3 ambientLight = (1 - lightAttenuation) * 0.5 * lightmap; 
+    vec3 ambientLight = (1 - lightAttenuation) * lightmap * getLightAmbientIntensity(light); 
 
     return diffuse * (ambientLight +  diffuseLight);
 }
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.cpp b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.cpp
index 440f75e32e..bddb1815bf 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.cpp
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.cpp
@@ -554,11 +554,12 @@ void DeferredLightingEffect::setAmbientLightMode(int preset) {
     }
 }
 
-void DeferredLightingEffect::setGlobalLight(const glm::vec3& direction, const glm::vec3& diffuse, float intensity) {
+void DeferredLightingEffect::setGlobalLight(const glm::vec3& direction, const glm::vec3& diffuse, float intensity, float ambientIntensity) {
     auto light = _allocatedLights.front();
     light->setDirection(direction);
     light->setColor(diffuse);
     light->setIntensity(intensity);
+    light->setAmbientIntensity(ambientIntensity);
 }
 
 void DeferredLightingEffect::setGlobalSkybox(const model::SkyboxPointer& skybox) {
diff --git a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.h b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.h
index 6d0d131029..0d3d370fd4 100644
--- a/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.h
+++ b/libraries/render-utils/src/DeferredLightingEffect.h
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public:
 
     // update global lighting
     void setAmbientLightMode(int preset);
-    void setGlobalLight(const glm::vec3& direction, const glm::vec3& diffuse, float intensity);
+    void setGlobalLight(const glm::vec3& direction, const glm::vec3& diffuse, float intensity, float ambientIntensity);
     void setGlobalAtmosphere(const model::AtmospherePointer& atmosphere) { _atmosphere = atmosphere; }
 
     void setGlobalSkybox(const model::SkyboxPointer& skybox);
diff --git a/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.cpp b/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.cpp
index 5a8f591410..557938c78a 100644
--- a/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.cpp
+++ b/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ void SceneScriptingInterface::setSunColor(const glm::vec3& color) {
     _skyStage->setSunColor(color);
 }
 
-const glm::vec3& SceneScriptingInterface::getSunColor() const {
+glm::vec3 SceneScriptingInterface::getSunColor() const {
     return _skyStage->getSunColor();
 }
 
@@ -62,6 +62,30 @@ float SceneScriptingInterface::getSunIntensity() const {
     return _skyStage->getSunIntensity();
 }
 
+void SceneScriptingInterface::setSunAmbientIntensity(float intensity) {
+    _skyStage->setSunAmbientIntensity(intensity);
+}
+
+float SceneScriptingInterface::getSunAmbientIntensity() const {
+    return _skyStage->getSunAmbientIntensity();
+}
+
+void SceneScriptingInterface::setSunDirection(const glm::vec3& direction) {
+    _skyStage->setSunDirection(direction);
+}
+
+glm::vec3 SceneScriptingInterface::getSunDirection() const {
+    return _skyStage->getSunDirection();
+}
+
+void SceneScriptingInterface::setStageEarthSunModelEnable(bool isEnabled) {
+    _skyStage->setEarthSunModelEnable(isEnabled);
+}
+
+bool SceneScriptingInterface::isStageEarthSunModelEnabled() const {
+    return _skyStage->isEarthSunModelEnabled();
+}
+
 model::SunSkyStagePointer SceneScriptingInterface::getSkyStage() const {
     return _skyStage;
 }
diff --git a/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.h b/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.h
index 352bc1e78f..e847b7ff68 100644
--- a/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.h
+++ b/libraries/script-engine/src/SceneScriptingInterface.h
@@ -38,10 +38,24 @@ public:
     Q_INVOKABLE void setStageYearTime(int day);
     Q_INVOKABLE int getStageYearTime() const;
 
+    Q_INVOKABLE void setStageEarthSunModelEnable(bool isEnabled);
+    Q_INVOKABLE bool isStageEarthSunModelEnabled() const;
+
+
     Q_INVOKABLE void setSunColor(const glm::vec3& color);
-    Q_INVOKABLE const glm::vec3& getSunColor() const;
+    Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getSunColor() const;
     Q_INVOKABLE void setSunIntensity(float intensity);
     Q_INVOKABLE float getSunIntensity() const;
+    Q_INVOKABLE void setSunAmbientIntensity(float intensity);
+    Q_INVOKABLE float getSunAmbientIntensity() const;
+
+    // Only valid if stage Earth Sun model is disabled
+    Q_INVOKABLE void setSunDirection(const glm::vec3& direction);
+
+    Q_INVOKABLE glm::vec3 getSunDirection() const;
+
+
+
 
     model::SunSkyStagePointer getSkyStage() const;