Evenings longer but not mornings - why?

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

Globalti

Legendary Member
I've noticed that the evenings are definitely getting longer while there doesn't seem to be much change happening in the mornings. I think I understand why - it's to do with the distribution of sunlight and the curve of the Earth - if I could find an online geochron and study it I think the answer might become clear. Can anybody explain?
 

Fnaar

Smutmaster General
Location
Thumberland
I can't explain what happens and why, but you can see times here:
http://www.canterburyweather.co.uk/sun/ukmap.php
 

Davidc

Guru
Location
Somerset UK
Put simply it's a function of the (mis)alignment of earths orbit and the tilt of its axis of rotation.

The middle of the daylight period isn't always at noon GMT, and in early January it moves later fast enough that dawn actually gets later in GMT for a few weeks.

It seems for a while as if the mornings are still getting shorter while the evenings are getting longer quicker than they should (suits me). It all corrects itself later.

That's why the accuracy of sundials relative to GMT varies during the year. If we used strict solar time this wouldn't happen, but clock design would be a bit of a nightmare!

I saw a good animation of this on a visit to London's Science Museum once, but I don't think it's a part of their permanent display. The model explained what happens beter than words ever could.
 
OP
OP
Globalti

Globalti

Legendary Member
Thanks. I'm thinking about that!

Looked at the site linked by mike.pembo and saw the words waxing/waning gibbous for the moon - that's a new one on me!
 

swee'pea99

Squire
It's cos you get up too early. Stay in bed longer. Easy.
 
Top Bottom