Time

Apparent solar Day

"It is the interval between Z

•
two successive transits Q
of the True sun across the •
P
•
same meridian.“

Since the speed of true sun E

•
on it 's orbit is not N•
• •S
uniform; according to •
W
Kepler's 2nd law; so, this
unit of time is not fixed.
It cannot be used as a •
perfect time keeper • P’
Q’
•
Z’
 Lunar Day

"It is the interval between Z

•
two successive transits Q
of the Moon across the •
P
•
same meridian.“

E
•
N• •S
•
•
W
this unit of time
is not fixed.
•
It cannot be used as a •
Q’ P’
perfect time keeper
•
Z’
 Sidereal Day

Z
•
"Itis the interval between Q
•
P
two successive transits •
of the 1st point of Aries
across the same meridian.“
E
equals ( 23 h 56m 4.1s ). •
N• •S
•
This unit of time is absolutely fixed •
so it can be used as a perfect time W
keeper; and since this unit is not
agree with our daily affairs, it is used
only in observatories •
• P’
Q’
•
Z’
 The Apparent solar Day cannot be used as a
unit of time measurement.

The sun moves on the ecliptic with a non -1

uniform rate as a result of kepler's 2nd law of
.planetary motion
2- The sun moves in the ecliptic instead of the
equinoctial
which is the perpendicular plane to the axis of rotation
of the earth
 Body orbit speed

• True sun Ecliptic Not

.

uniform

• Dynamical Ecliptic Uniform

mean sun

• Astronomical Equinoctial Uniform

mean sun
 The Dynamical sun
---------------------
It is a fictitious point moves on the Ecliptic with a
uniform rate equal to the average rate of the true sun

The mean sun

----------------------
It is a fictitious point moves on the equinoctial with a
uniform rate equal to the average rate of the
true sun
 Mean Solar Day

Z
•
Q
•
P
It is the interval •
between two successive
transits of the Mean E
•
Sun across the same N•
• •S
meridian •
W

Mean Solar Day = 24 Hous

Fixed unit of Time •

• P’
Q’
ms •
Z’
 Abbreviations & Symbols

• Mean Sun ( m.s )

• True Sun ( T.S )

 When dose the day starts
The day starts when the sun crosses the Z
P •
lower meridian •

When projecting from the pole

Q
Q obs •
m.s
m.s •
T.S
T.s
•
P
•
P Q’•

m.s

•
• P’
Q’ obs Z’
 Local mean time: (L.M.T)

Is the angle at the pole Q obs

contained between the
anti meridian of observer
and the meridian of the
m.s 
Mean Sun; measured
westward from the anti P
meridian of observer and L.M.T

expressed in units of time.

L.H.A ms

Q’ obs

B
 Local mean time: (L.M.T)

Is the angle at the pole Q obs

contained between the
anti meridian of observer
and the meridian of the
m.s 
Mean Sun; measured
westward from the anti P
meridian of observer and L.M.T

expressed in units of time.

L.H.A ms
L.M.T = L.H.A. M.S ± 12 H

Time starts from lower mer.

Q’ obs
H.A starts from upper mer.
B
 Local Apparent Time: (L.A.T)

Is the angle at the pole Q obs

contained between the
anti meridian of observer
and the meridian of the
Apparent Sun; measured T.s

westward from the anti P

meridian of observer and L.A. T

expressed in units of time. L.H.A Ts

L.A.T = L.H.A. T.S ± 12 H

Time starts from lower mer.

Q’ obs
H.A starts from upper mer.
Local mean time: (L.M.T)

Q obs

m.s
 A
B

L.M.T at A 08h 30m 00s

L.M. T P

L.M.T at B 07h 30m 00s

Q’ obs

B
 Greenwich mean time: (G.M.T)

Is the angle at the pole

QG
contained between the
anti meridian of Greenwich m.s
and the meridian of the
Mean Sun; measured
westward from the anti P
meridian of Greenwich and G M.T

expressed in units of time.

G.M.T = G.H.A. M.S ± 12 H G.H.A ms

Time starts from lower mer.

Q’ G
H.A starts from upper mer.
 Greenwich Apparent Time: (G.A.T)

Is the angle at the pole

QG
contained between the
anti meridian of Greenwich
and the meridian of the
Apparent Sun; measured T.s

westward from the anti P

meridian of observer and G A. T

expressed in units of time. G.H.A Ts

G.A.T = G.H.A. T.S ± 12 H

Time starts from lower mer.

Q’ G
H.A starts from upper mer.
 Relation between G.M.T and L.M.T
Long E QG QG Long W Q
s ob
ob s
Q

m.s m.s

P P

G M.T L.M.T G M.T

L.M.T Long
s
Long
ob Q’
Q’ o bs
Figure 2 Figure 1
Q’ G Q’ G
From figure 1 G.M.T = L.M.T + Long W
From figure 2 G.M.T = L.M.T - Long E

G.M.T = L.M.T ± Long W

E
 Equation of time
P
L.H.A Ts L.H.A ms •
Ecliptic
± 12 H ± 12 H

L.A.T ~ L.M.T = Equinoctial

Equation of Time
Q
•
“is the difference between A ms
apparent time (A.T) and mean
Q’
• • L.H.
Ts
time (M.T) or equal to the L.H.A
difference between the hour
angles of apparent and mean
suns"
It is positive (+) if the meridian
of the true sun in diurnal
motion is a head of the •
P’
meridian of the mean sun, and
A.T < M.T eq.of. Time negative
negative (-) if behind.
 The Equation of time

"The Equation of time is the difference between

apparent time(A.T) and mean time (M.T) or
numerically equal to the difference between
the hour angles of apparent and mean suns"

• It is positive (+) if the meridian of the true sun

in diurnal motion is a head of the meridian of
the mean sun, and negative (-) if behind
 Zone Time (Z.T)

Z.T
180 172.5w 37.5w 22.5w 7.5w 7.5E 22.5E 37.5E 172.5E 180

G ZN
+12 ------ +3 +2 +1 zero -1 -2 -3 -4 -12

L.M.T 3  L.M.T 1

L.M.T 4  L.M.T 2

 30E
L.M.T middle = ZT

LMT of middle mer. ZT of zone

 Zone Time (Z.T)

Z.T
180 172.5w 37.5w 22.5w 7.5w 7.5E 22.5E 37.5E 172.5E 180

G
ZN

G.M.T = G.D.
+12 ------ +3 +2 +1 zero -1 -2 -3 -4 -12

L.M.T 3  L.M.T 1

L.M.T 4  L.M.T 2

 30E
L.M.T middle = ZT

LMT of middle mer. ZT of zone

World Time Zone Map

G
Africa Time Zone Map
12 HOUR FORMAT
 Zone Time (Z.T)

• It is the L.M.T of the middle long of the Zone;

it differs from the Greenwich mean time (G.M.T)by
a round figure of hours named Zone Number (Z.N).

Z.T, Z.N and GMT are related to each other by:

W
E
Z.T ± Z.N = GMT
 Zone Number

• Z.N = Long ÷ 15 = approximate to round figure

Long 32° 15’ = 2.15 ZN = 2

15

ZN = 1
Long 009° 27’ = 0.63
15
ZN = 1
Long 22 ° 29.9’ = 1.49
15
ZN = 2
Long 22˚ 30’ = 1.5
15
 Calculate the G.M.T( GD ) , given that Z.T is 1830 ,
Feb. 3rd ; for an observer in long. 048° 20’ W

ZN
Z.T 1830 3 Feb Long ÷ 15 = 3.22
W Z.N +3
G.D 2130 3 Feb
ZN = 3

Long E G least
Long W G Best
 Calculate the G.M.T( GD ) , given that Z.T is 0330 ,
June 27th ; for an observer in long. 098° 30’ E

+24 h
- 1 day ZN
Z.T 0330 27June Long ÷ 15 = 6.57
E Z.N -7
G.D 2030 26 June ZN = 7

Long E G least
Long W G Best
 Standard Time

• It is the L.M.T of
a certain long in
the country; and
it differs from
Greenwich time
by hours,
minutes and even
seconds
Standard Time (Page 262)
Standard Time

ZN - Zero
Summer Time
Daylight Saving Time
(Summer Time)
Daylight Saving Time (Summer Time) in
Northern Hemisphere (2009/2010)
 Question

What is the difference between. . .

Z.T and L.M.T ?
 International date line
.
172.5E 180 172.5W

- 12 + 12

Steaming East

Steaming west

ZT 1000 ZT 1000
8 May 7 May

Steaming East
 Rules of crossing international date line

Rule (A)
-------------
• For ships sailing Easterly; one day is repeated at the
midnight following to the crossing.

Rule (B)
----------
• For ships sailing westerly; one day is dropped at the
midnight following to the crossing.
 SIDEREAL TIME

Sidereal Time
starts from upper Meridian

Solar Time
starts from Lower Meridian
 Local Sidereal time: (L.S.T)

Q obs

Is the angle at the pole

contained from the upper
meridian of observer to the
meridian of the 1st point of P
Aries; measured westward L.S.T
and expressed in units of
time. L.H.A

L.S.T = L.H.A.
Q’ obs
 Greenwich Sidereal time: (G.S.T)

QG

Is the angle at the pole

contained from the upper
meridian of Greenwich to
the meridian of the 1st point P
of Aries; measured G.S.T
westward and expressed in
units of time. G.H.A

G.S.T = G.H.A
Q’ G
 Longitude / T

 Convert longitude 33 ° 20’E into time

Long ( 33 20 ) ÷ 15 = “” 2h 13m 20s

 Convert longitude 122° 32’W into time

Long 122 32 ÷ 15 = ‘’’’ 8h 10m 08s

 The Equation of time

The Equation of time : is the difference between

apparent time(A.T) and mean time (M.T) or
numerically equal to the difference between
the hour angles of apparent and mean sun.

• It is positive (+) if the meridian of the true sun

in diurnal motion is a head of the meridian of
the mean sun, and negative (-) if behind
Cases of applying
Eq. of . Time
Case (1) : ( if eq. of. T is given )
The eq.of. T is to be applied to the ( M.T ) with its sign
If applied to the ( A.T ) the sign should be reversed

M.T A.T
Eq.of .T (as it is) Eq.of .T ( reverse sign )

A.T M.T
 Case (2) : Calculating eq . Of . T
at Noon
At noon time ( upper meridian passage )
The sun crosses the upper meridian of the observer any where
The L.A.T at this moment is ( L.A.T mp = 12 00 00 )

L.A.T G.A.T
L.M.T G.M.T
Eq.of. T ± Eq.of. T

A.T < M.T eq.of. Time negative

eq.of. Time = 12 00 00 _ L.M.T mp

 Case (3) : If eq.of.T is needed to convert
type of Time to another

Eq. of. T
can be extracted from the Nautical almanac Table
in the lower right corner of daily pages using :-
Date and the( G.M.T / G.A.T )
 Time
Coordinates

B
 Case (3) : If eq.of.T is needed to convert
type of Time to another
Eq.of. T
can be extracted from the Nautical almanac Table
in the lower right corner of daily pages using :-
Date and the( G.M.T / G.A.T )
L.M.T L.A.T

Long/ T Long/ T

Eq. of . time
G.M.T G.A.T
From N.Almanac Table
Long Eq. of. T 12 H
Changes the first letter Changes the middle letter Changes the last 2 letter
L → G M → A H.A → ..T
G → L A → M ..T → H.A
L.M.T L.M.T L.H.A ms
Long/T Eq .of . T ± 12 H
G.M.T L.A.T L.M.T
G.H.A G. A . T G. A . T
Long Eq .of . T ± 12 H
L.H.A G .M .T G .H.A Ts
If LMT 07h 20m 33s May 23rd for an observer in long 96 34 E
Find the GMT

÷ 15 =

LMT 07 20 33 May 23

Long / T E — 06 26 16

GMT 00 54 17 May 23

Long E G least
Long W G Best
If LMT 21h 30m 53s June 27th for an observer in long 126 34 w
Find the GMT

LMT 21 30 53 June 27

Long / T w + 8 26 16

GMT 05
29 57 09 June 27
28

Long E G lest
Long W G Best
 If GMT 03h 20m 50s May 17th
Find the LMT for an observer in long 137 30 W

GMT 03 20 50 May 17

Long / T w — 9 10 00

LMT 18 10 50 May 16

Long E G least
Long W G Best
If LMT 17h 37m 18s May 15th for an observer in long
101 33.5 E
Find the LMT for an observer in long 134 22.6 W
G
 Long B / T Long 
A/T

A
B L.M.T A

LMT A 17 37 18 May 15
Long.A / T E - 06 46 14
GMT 10 51 04 May 15
Long B / T w - 08 57 30
LMT B 01 53 34 May 15
It was recorded that the sun crossed the upper observer’s
meridian at LMT 12h 04 15
Calculate the equation of time at that day

L.A.T mp 12 00 00

L.M.T mp 12 04 15

Eq. of. Time — 04 15

A.T < M.T eq.of. Time negative

It was recorded that GMT 09h 36m 50s Mar. 20th 1990,
Calculate the L.A.T at the same moment for an observer
in longitude 102° 03.5’w.
.

GMT 1208 09 36 50 20 March

Eq. of T — 07 35
GAT 1200 09 29 15 20 March
Long/T w — 06 48 14
LAT 02 41 01 20 March

12 H 8S
9h 36m 50s X

6 S
It was recorded that L.M.T 18h 20m 39s Feb. 20th 1990,
for an observer in longitude 161° 43.5’w.
Calculate the GAT at the same moment.
.

LMT 18 20 39 20 Feb.
Long / T W + 10 46 54
GMT 1214 05 07 33 21 Feb.
Eq.of. T — 13 41
G A T 1200 04 53 52 21 Feb.

12 H 4S
5h 07m 33s X

2 S
 Calculate the length of apparent solar day of
March 2nd , 1990

• Eq. of . Time (00h) Mar. 2nd 12 18

• Eq. of . Time (00h) Mar. 3rd 12 06

• Diff. of eq. 12 s

• Mean Day 1212

24 00 00
• Diff. of eq. - 12 s
• App. Solar day 1200 23 59 48
 Calculate the length of apparent solar day of
Sept. 26th , 1990

• Eq. of . Time (00h) Sept.26th 08 25

• Eq. of . Time (00h) Sept.27th 08 45

• Diff. of eq. 20 s

• Mean Day 1151

24 00 00
• Diff. of eq. + 20 s
• App. Solar day 1200 24 00 20
Thank you
Questions ?