"Equation" refers to a difference or correction, as Fer J. de Vries has pointed out.
"a quantity added or subtracted in equating a computation" - Webster's Third International Dictionary Probably the first table of corrections for regulating a clock was the "Tabula Aequationis Dierum" compiled by Christiaan Huygens circa 1662. Tables were published by John Flamsteed in 1666 and John Smith in 1688. "A Table of the Equation of Days shewing How much a good Pendulum Watch ought to be faster or slower than a true Sun-Dial, every Day in the Year" was printed as early as 1683 for Thomas Tompion. - from "The Grandfather Clock" by Earnest Edwardes. Gordon Uber At 08:37 97/10/13 +0100, you wrote: >I know WHAT the equation of time is. >What I would like to know is - WHY is it called that? >Isn't an equation supposed to contain an equals (=) sign? >Surely it is really a correction factor? >Should it not go something like: >Local Mean Time = Local Apparent Time + Correction >Anyone know anything about it? >Like WHO named it and WHEN? -- | XII | Gordon T. Uber, 3790 El Camino Real, Suite 142 | XI | Palo Alto, CA 94306-3314, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] | X \ /| CLOCKS and TIME: http://www.ubr.com/clocks/ | IX \ / | Reynen & Uber WebDesign: http://www.ubr.com/rey&ubr
