On 21 Dec 2007, at 10:43, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >>> >>> This has been a public service announcement. You may >>> return to your grog now. >> Not until you have explained why this is so.
> Basically because the length of the days using natural solar time > (as measured by the position of the sun - when it's due South and > at its highest it's noon) varies slightly around the year. Whereas > our clocks use 'mean time' where we average them out to the same > length. <snip> > There are websites that explain it better. Try searching on > 'analemma'.... Many thanks, Martin. Your explanation was splendidly concise. I did go on to look at the web and the first site I tried [being careful not to accidentally introduce a space] gave me more information than I could comfortably absorb but I think I get the gist. I've had enough trouble coping with the 12 minute difference from GMT out here 3 degrees west of Greenwich. Back to the grog. Baz
