If you are a fan of crossword puzzles, you might have come across the New York Times crossword, which is one of the most popular and challenging puzzles in the world. The NYT crossword has a variety of clues, ranging from trivia to wordplay to general knowledge. One of the clues that appeared on the April 8, 2023 puzzle was “Astronomer’s calculation”. Do you know the answer to this clue? If not, don’t worry, I will explain how to solve it in this article.
What is an Astronomer’s Calculation?
An astronomer’s calculation is a term that refers to a method of measuring time based on the position of the sun in the sky. This method is also known as solar time, which is the answer to the crossword clue. Solar time is different from the standard time that we use in our clocks and watches, which is based on the rotation of the earth around its axis. Solar time varies depending on the location and the season, because the earth’s orbit around the sun is not perfectly circular, and the earth’s axis is tilted.
How to Calculate Solar Time?
To calculate solar time, you need to know the longitude of your location, which is the angular distance east or west of the prime meridian. The prime meridian is an imaginary line that passes through Greenwich, England, and divides the earth into two hemispheres. The longitude of Greenwich is zero degrees, and the longitude of any other location can range from -180 degrees to +180 degrees. For example, the longitude of New York City is -74 degrees, and the longitude of Tokyo is +139 degrees.
To find the solar time at any location, you need to add or subtract four minutes for every degree of longitude from the standard time. This is because the earth rotates 360 degrees in 24 hours, which means one degree of longitude corresponds to four minutes of time. For example, if the standard time is 12:00 noon, the solar time in New York City is 12:00 – (74 x 4) = 9:04 a.m., and the solar time in Tokyo is 12:00 + (139 x 4) = 3:36 p.m.
Why is Solar Time Important?
Solar time is important for astronomers, because it helps them determine the position of the sun and other celestial objects in the sky. Solar time is also important for some religious and cultural practices, such as observing the sunrise and sunset, or calculating the time of prayer. Solar time can also affect the length of the day and the night, which can have an impact on the biological rhythms of plants and animals
Solar time is not very convenient for everyday use, because it varies from place to place and from day to day. That is why most countries use standard time zones, which are based on the mean solar time at a fixed longitude. For example, the Eastern Standard Time zone in the United States is based on the mean solar time at 75 degrees west longitude, which is close to the longitude of Philadelphia. However, even standard time zones are not perfect, because they do not account for the seasonal variations in the solar time. That is why some countries use daylight saving time, which is an adjustment of the clock by one hour during the summer months, to make the most of the daylight hours.
Conclusion
I hope this article helped you understand what an astronomer’s calculation is, and how to solve the NYT crossword clue. Solar time is a fascinating concept that reveals the connection between the earth, the sun, and the sky. Next time you look at the sun, try to imagine what time it is according to the solar time, and how it differs from the time on your clock. You might be surprised by the difference!