at some point in history, perhaps too far back to know, a decision was made to make the start of the 24 hour day begin timing at a certain point in the earths orbit. the earths position relative to the sun. why was it made that the day starts (1201am) at that given point in the earths orbit? shouldnt the day start closer to sun up?
2006-08-25 22:02:08 · 5 answers · asked by nelson j 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Likely it was always easy with simple implements (sundials?) to identify 12 noon which arrives each (sunny) day due to the earth's spin rather than its orbit about the sun. The shadow is longest at noon. Early man worshipped the sun (as do many beach bunnies to this day). Mid-day is 12 noon and mid-night is well 12 midnight (easier than say 3:30 midnight?). Of course on a 24 hour clock, 12 is still noon.
2006-08-26 00:12:01 · answer #1 · answered by Kes 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Which day is "12:00 a.m."? Is "12:00 a.m." the last moment of the day that includes 11:59 p.m. (that is, 11:59 + 1 = 12:00). Or the first moment of the day that includes 12:01 a.m. (that is, 12:00 + 1 = 12:01). How do you know? How will you compellingly convince me?
For that matter, how do I know whether "12:00 a.m." is 12 midnight? Why isn't it 12 noon (that is, 11:59 a.m. + 1 = 12:00 a.m.)? How do you know? How will you compellingly convince me?
2006-08-25 22:20:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Marie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One reason is that the sun rises at a different time every day. Midnight and noon are in the middle of the night/day and remain unchanged by the length of daylight or darkness.
2006-08-25 22:21:41 · answer #3 · answered by fenwick 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think we shoud change it, so on the first day of spring it would be 12:00 AM when the sun starts to rise. That would be cool, because you could set your watch by the sun.
2006-08-25 22:06:50 · answer #4 · answered by dudemanyeah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, because the earth finishes it orbit at that certain time!
2006-08-25 22:10:14 · answer #5 · answered by sunny 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋