Why do we have time zones?
1 Answer
Time zones:
- permit coordination of local time dependent events
- allow different parts of the world to observe times that are in keeping with local sun dependent events (e.g. sunrise, noon, sunset)
Explanation:
Consider the alternatives:
-
A global time:
This actually exists, originally called Greenwich Mean Time and now more commonly replaced with Coordinated Universal Time. Under this system the time of day is based on when (on average) the sun crosses the meridian at Greenwich UK. This means that in certain parts of the world the sun would be in mid-sky at midnight under a global time system. (Where I live, the sun would be rising, on average, at midnight). -
Completely local time
This would be equivalent to an old system where the village priest would ring the morning bell when the sun crested the horizon. This actually was workable in small agrarian communities but in modern more extended communities it makes the start (and end) of coordinated events extremely uncertain). Imagine if your favorite TV program might start at any time between 7:45 pm and 9:15 pm local time! ...or (for me) if I couldn't be sure if Starbucks would be open when I got there!
