1)The ideal time to light the Chanukah Menorah is between "sunset" and the time that people are no longer in the street. (Talmud Shabbos 21b)
The Rishonim debate what "sunset" in this case means, as the setting of the sun is divided into 3 time periods. The three times [for lighting the Menorah] are:
a) As soon as the sun begins setting, though it is still very light outside. (Opinion of the Rambam, Mordechai, Rav Hai Gaon)
b) The beginning of the sun's actual setting, when it is starting to get dark already [approximately 20-40 minutes after "sunset"] (Opinion of the Rashba, Ran, Meiri, Ritva[though the Ritva allows lighting at the earlier time of sunset as well]
c) The end of Sunset, which is referred to as "Tzais HaKochavim- when 3 stars are visible in the sky". (Opinion of Tosefos, Manhig, The Rosh, Tur, Terumas HaDeshen)
2) There are many different opinions amongst the Poskim as far as which of the above opinions is best to follow.
Many people [especially in America] follow the minhag of Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal who lit the Menorah approximately 10 minutes after Sunset. (Based on the Opinion of the Gaon of Vilna in Biur HaGr"a Orach Chaim Siman 672. There is a contradictory Biur HaGr"a in Yoreh Deah Siman 266:17 who seems to say that the best time to light is at "Tzeis Hakochavim- when the stars appear" which is definitely later than 10 minutes after sunset. See Sefer Moadim U'Zmanim from Rav Moshe Sternbuch, Vol. 2 Siman 154 how he deals with this apparent contradiction). This is also the minhag of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlita.
Many people[especially in Eretz Yisrael] follow the minhag of the Chazon Ish Zatzal to wait an additional 10 minutes, and light only 20 minutes after sunset. This was also the Minhag of the Steipler Zatzal.
The Minhag of Rav Ahron Kotler Zatzal was to light 25-30 minutes after sunset.
Many people follow various other minhagim, and each person should adopt the custom of their own family, or consult a Rav if no custom is in place.
Even those who follow the Gr"a and light at the earliest time, should make sure there is enough oil (or the candles be long enough) to burn until a half hour past "Tzeis HaKochavim" (Psak of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, quoted in Sefer Yemei Halael V'Hodaah
Reader's Question:
Chasidim daven mincha at a later zman than those non chasidish. the question is if you are in a car or another place that you would be unable to daven mincha with a minyan before shikya but you would be able to make it to a shul that davens mincha after shkiya, what should you do?
My Answer:
You should do whatever it is that your personal minhag is. Meaning, if you yourself would not usually daven past 10,or 15,or 30, minutes after shkiah , you should not wait for a minyan in this case if they will be davening past your usual threshhold.
Follow up Question from same reader:
So I guess this would apply to a situation that shkiya has passed and you are makpid to daven before shkiya or within x amount of time, and there is a group of people in a shul waiting still for a minyan, does the person that is makpid then have daven biyichidus rather than wait for a tenth person to arrive?
My Answer:
I would imagine that it applies in this case as well. Though, if by you davening B'Yechidus you will cause the other 9 people to lose out on a minyan for Tefilah B'Tzibur(and for them they still have time to daven according to their minhag), perhaps its different. A Rav should be consulted in this case.
Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות
- one who studies [at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba - the world to come.
(:מגילה כ"ח )
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Important Numbers
