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Because, when using "apparent solar time", the length of a "solar day" varies slightly during the year. (This is because the Earth's orbit isn't exactly circular and the Earth's axis is tilted.)

"Clock time" is based on an average (or "mean") of these day lengths, called the "mean solar day". So clocks use "mean solar time".

(By coincidence, on the date the question was answered (14th April) "apparent solar time" and 'clock' time are synchronised.)

There's another reason for apparent solar time being different from clock time.

"Clock time" uses time zones. So, over a wide area, the time on a clock equals the "mean solar time" at a particular, defining, longitude.

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Carlie Renner

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3y ago

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Why is apparent solar time not used to measure on a clock?

Because, when using "apparent solar time", the length of a "solar day" varies slightly during the year. (This is because the Earth's orbit isn't exactly circular and the Earth's axis is tilted.) "Clock time" is based on an average (or "mean") of these day lengths, called the "mean solar day". So clocks use "mean solar time". (By coincidence, on the date the question was answered (14th April) "apparent solar time" and 'clock' time are synchronised.) There's another reason for apparent solar time being different from clock time. "Clock time" uses time zones. So, over a wide area, the time on a clock equals the "mean solar time" at a particular, defining, longitude.


During which two seasons is apparent solar time ahead of clock time?

Apparent solar time is ahead of clock time in the UK during the winter and spring seasons. This is due to the equation of time, which accounts for the variation in the Earth's orbit and axial tilt throughout the year.


What is six ways to measure time?

You can measure time using a: Sundial Water Clock Sandglass Pendunum Clock Quartz Clock


How accurate are sundials in measuring time?

Generally accurate to within a few minutes. (They do not take account of Daylight Saving Time.) However, you need to apply some corrections to get to "clock time". Clock time uses "mean solar time". That's an average of the "apparent solar time" (as shown by sundials) during the year. You need to apply the "equation of time", for the day of the year, to get from "sundial time" to "mean solar time". Then you need to make a correction for your longitude, within your particular time zone.


What state does the sun go over at noon?

Solar noon is the time when the Sun appears to contact the local celestial meridian. This is when the Sun apparently reaches its highest point in the sky, at 12 noon apparent solar time and can be observed using a sundial. The local or clock time of solar noon depends on the longitude and date.


What can you measure with a clock?

Time.


Are there different types of solar time?

It very much depends on what is meant by solar time. Not really, it's fairly clear. There are 2 types of solar time: 1) "Apparent solar time". At any particular place this is called the "local apparent solar time", because it depends on longitude. 2) "Mean solar time". This averages out the natural variations of "apparent solar time". (The word "mean" is just a way of saying "average".) This too is depends on longitude of course, but time zones are used to cover a wide area, for convenience.


What measure do you use to measure time?

you use a clock


What is used to measure the time?

A clock?


What is equation of time?

the distance between the solar time i.e Mean time apparent solar time is stated as equation of time. M.t-A.t=equation of time


What is it called when time is reckoned by the position of the sun?

It is called "solar time" or "apparent solar time." This method of timekeeping is based on the position of the sun in the sky, with noon defined as when the sun is at its highest point.


What is time based on the sun called?

Time based on the sun is called solar time. It is measured using the position of the sun in the sky.