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My scientific specialty is chronobiology (circadian rhythms and photoperiodism), with additional interests in comparative physiology, animal behavior and evolution. I am not an MD so I cannot diagnose and treat your sleep problems. As well as writing this blog, I am also the Online Discussion Expert for PLoS. This is a personal blog and opinions within it in no way reflect the policies of PLoS. You can contact me at: Coturnix@gmail.com
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ClockQuotes
Category: Clock Quotes
Posted on: March 18, 2007 3:54 AM, by Coturnix
Comments
I have some questions about time measurement that have been festering for years. So, since you are the "clock" person, I thought I'd try them on you.
Where did the "hour" (or minute or second) come from? Why was Earth partitioned into 24 zones of 15 degrees,rather than, say, 36 of 10 degrees? And a related question that is maybe astronomical: what does 24 hours represent? I know that it supposedly means 1 rotation, but how do we measure 1 rotation, compared to what reference point? Since Earth is revolving around Sun while it is rotating, does it mean that the same point on Earth is pointing at Sun, and won't that require more than 360 degrees of rotation? If that is so, then 1 hour must require more than 15 degrees of rotation. etc. Do you know of a reference that explains all of this?
Posted by: Karl | March 18, 2007 3:48 PM
The time measurement with a base of 60 was invented by Sumerians circa 2000 BCE - so a completely social construct.
There is a nice history of time zones and DST here and you can always search 'time' on Wikipedia (it is a decent entry there).
Posted by: coturnix | March 19, 2007 9:35 AM