Time Equals Longitude
Since the Earth rotates at a steady rate of 360° per day, or 15° per hour (in mean solar time), there is a direct relationship between time and longitude. If the navigator knew the time at a fixed reference point when some event occurred at the ship's location, the difference between the reference time and the apparent local time would give the ship's position relative to the fixed location. Finding apparent local time is relatively easy. The problem, ultimately, was how to determine the time at a distant reference point while on a ship.
Read more about this topic: History Of Longitude
Famous quotes containing the words time and/or equals:
“When her husband clutches at her dress,
she lowers her face,
her modesty aroused.
When he wants a wild embrace,
she shyly secrets away
her limbs.
She can’t say a word
and bestows her gaze
on her beaming friends.
A new wife suffers
with shame
the first time she makes love.”
—Amaru (c. seventh century A.D.)
“If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut.”
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955)