What the heck is going on?

I notice that when I use the Make Ephemeris as found under the
Animation menu, that the sun's altitude seems to be in reverse of my
logic.

Under options it says

Show only if..

Sun below Altitude

If I set the value to -12 degrees, then it will show the ephemeris
for the satellite, up to the sun being near 12 degrees above the
horizon.

When I set it to 12 degrees, then it shows the ephemeris for the
satellite, up to the sun near 12 degrees below the horizon.

And here I thought negative degrees means the object is below the
horizon.

Thanks

Kevin