Equation of time

During the course of the year, the time as read from a sundial can run ahead of clock time by as much as 16 min 33 s (around October 31–November 1) or fall behind by as much as 14 min 6 s (around February 11–12). This difference, known as the equation of time, results from a combination of the tilt of the Earth's rotation axis and the eccentricity of its orbit. The equation of time is visually illustrated by an analemma.

Related Topics:
Year - Sundial - Clock - Min - S - October 31 - November 1 - February 11 - 12 - Tilt - Earth - Eccentricity - Orbit - Analemma

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Naturally, other planets will have an equation of time too. On Mars the difference between sundial time and clock time can be as much as 50 minutes, due to its orbit's considerably greater eccentricity.

Related Topics:
Planet - Mars

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