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Old December 9th 17, 08:01 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Chris.B[_3_]
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Default The Equation of Time(keeping)

On Friday, 8 December 2017 17:30:33 UTC+1, Mikko wrote:
In article ,
Gerald Kelleher wrote:

For those who want to understand history it is important to know that a clock
is a device with one job - to maintain a constant or average pace.


You then ask what is the constant pace and how is it derived using the Sun
crossing the meridian each day/night cycle while knowing that each cycle is
different.


No, I don't. Instead I ask whether and how well the clock will do what
it is made to do. In order to understand history, the point is that until
recently clocks were not very accurate (nor common). Astronomers
who wanted to study the equation of the time could only compare the
(apparent) motions of Sun and fixed stars. Even that was not easy as
Sun and stars are not visible at the same time.

Mikko


Accurate clocks have been running to sidereal time for far longer than you seem to realise.
[Search for observatory regulators and be re-educated]

The high quality, observatory regulators of old [well before 1800] were constantly checked against costly and highly accurate transit instruments.
Many observatories had both and it was usually their prime purpose.
Then there were the later Shortt Synchronome Free Pendulums [and others] of the Early 20th Century.

Mankind was well aware of the rotation of the earth and the effects of the Moon via tidal drag well before the beginning of the *last* century.
Though it took the Shortt FP to provide the final proof of lunar tidal effects on the Earth.

The lapreclown merely continues to display its raving ignorance.
Another Strumpet doll, surfing the modern wave of screeching delight in personal ignorance, in a desperate bid to inflate its own flaccid ego.