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John Harrison was a self-educated English carpenter and clockmakerwho invented the marine chronometer, a long-sought-after device for solving the problem of calculating longitude while at sea.

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How to calculate the longitude of a place when time is given?

You can calculate the longitude of a place when time is given using the Greenwich solar time.


What is the importance of John Harrison's clock?

Despite the normal importance of any clock associated with time accuracy, John Harrison’s clocks had its very own special purpose and importance. His series of inventions have always been helpful in solving the longitude problem faced by the sailors and navigators in the 17th century. The idea is simple, for every 15° that one travels eastward, the local time moves one hour ahead. Similarly, travelling West, the local time moves back one hour for every 15° of longitude. Therefore, if we know the local times at two points on Earth, we can use the difference between them to calculate how far apart those places are in longitude, east or west. Although accurate pendulum clocks existed in the 17th century, the motions of a ship and changes in humidity and temperature would prevent such a clock from keeping accurate time at sea. Harrison’s entire career was aimed in solving this problem in which he was successful after a series of different designs for the clocks started with “Harrison’s Marine Timekeeper No.1 (H1)”, H2, H3 and the more portable H4.


Is Germany longitude?

Using Berlin, Germany as a starting point, Germany's longitude is 13 deg. 24 min. E.


Does using latitude and longitude helps locate and place on earth?

Yes.


When using latitude and longitude to find places on earth what do you use as your starting point?

The equator is the zero reference line for latitude, and the Prime Meridian is the one for longitude.