I think the difference may be explained by the axes of the ellipse of the Earth's orbit not coinciding with the equinoxes and solstices. In other words, as perihelion and aphelion are not at the solstices (as John wrote, January 4th not December 21st), the difference in speed of traversing the orbit can therefore account for the differences in the times from spring equinox to midsummer and from midsummer to autumn equinox. The equinoxes and solstices are governed mostly by the inclination of the Earth's axis in relation to the direction of movement round the orbit, and not much by the varying distance from the Sun.
Andrew James -----Original Message----- From: Willy Leenders [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 26 March 2002 11:04 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: difference between equinoxes and midsummer Thank you Piero and John. But after your answers my problem remains. 1. The equation of time can explain no more than about 31 minutes. The difference I descirbe is 21 hours and 10 minutes. 2. I describe a difference between two parts of the elliptical orbit of the earth which are symmetrical with regard to the sun. It is not the difference between winter and to summer but the the difference between the time from spring equinox to midsummer on one hand and the time from midsummer to autumn equinox on the other hand. I look out for a further explanation. Willy Leenders Flanders in Belgium 50.9 N 5.4 E mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] -
