Hi Tony and all,
In an book I read from the library regarding the establishment of standard
longitude
measurements it was mentioned that at one time there were a great number of
contenders for zero meridian within the North American continent. I had heard
of
both Boston and Philadelphia at one time, but hadn't heard of a place in
Indiana.
Of course we all over here now agree with the international standard. So, in
any
case the reference you have is historical, not current.
Hope this helps!
Edley.
Fellow Shadow watchers,
Apologies if you've seen this more than once - if
at all - but for some reason I didn't receive a
circulated version via the SML so have assumed it
has gone astray.
Tony Moss
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Subject: USA Help required!
Sent: 16/9/02 11:59 PM
To: Sundial Mail List, [email protected]
Hi US Shadow Watchers.
I have a US client who contributed the following and
then asked me what the truth of the matter is - if
anything?
>"....but the arcane bit of knowledge I had never heard before was that
>the man (name forgotten) who studied and then defined the "line" from
>which all North American sundials are "calibrated" (if that is the word)
>had established that geographic point in this city of Indianapolis."
>From this side of the ocean Indianapolis, with due respect, looks like an
unlikely candidate for any longitudinal distinction. My 'Times' Atlas
tells me that it lies at 39° 45' North and 86° 10' West which logically
would seem to put it in the Central timezone (Reference Meridian 90° West)
but my British Admiralty World Time Zone Chart seems to locate it in
Eastern Time where the reference meridian is 75° West so that hardly
suggests anything very clearcut.
Of course it could be a reference to something/someone much earlier before
transcontinental railways and timezones.
Any thoughts which might illuminate this?
Best wishes
Tony Moss
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