what is a solar time?

Answer 1

Solar time is based on the idea that when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, it is noon.

Apparent solar time is based on the apparent solar day, which is the interval between two successive returns of the Sun to the local "noon". This kind of solar time can be measured by a sundial.

The length of a solar day varies throughout the year for two reasons. First, Earth's orbit is an ellipse, not a circle, so the Earth moves faster when it is nearest the Sun (perihelion) and slower when it is farthest from the Sun (aphelion). Thus, the sun will appear to speed up and then slow down throughout the year. Second, due to Earth's axial tilt, the Sun moves along a great circle (the ecliptic) that is tilted to Earth's equator. When the Sun crosses the equator at both equinoxes, it is moving at an angle to it, so the projection of this tilted motion onto the equator is slower than its mean motion (a globe will help make this clear); when the Sun is farthest from the equator at both solstices, it moves parallel to it, so the projection of this parallel motion onto the equator is faster than its mean motion.

Consequently, apparent solar days are shorter in March (26–27) and September (12–13) than they are in June (18–19) or December (20–21). These dates are shifted from those of the equinoxes and solstices by the fast/slow Sun at Earth's perihelion/aphelion.

Complicated, I know, but I hope that helps.

HTH

Charles

Answer 2

Solar time is time measured by the movement of the sun across the sky rather than by using a clock or watch. A sundial measures solar time.

Answer 3

Gnomon has the right answer if that is what you mean by solar time. Sundial.

Answer 4

telling time on the moon.

Answer 5

the soler year