Time Zones and Longitudes Explained
How Longitudes Affect Local Time
Eastward Movement: Locations to the east of the Prime Meridian will have a time ahead of GMT. For every 15 degrees of longitude traveled east, an additional hour is added to the local time.
Westward Movement: On the other hand, locations west of the Prime Meridian will have a time behind GMT. Moving west by 15 degrees of longitude results in subtracting an hour from the local time.
Calculation Example
For instance, if it is 12 noon at Greenwich, England (0 degrees longitude), and you want to know the local time at a location situated at 45 degrees west longitude, you can calculate the time difference as follows:
45 degrees / 15 degrees = 3 hours
Subtracting 3 hours from 12 noon gives a local time of 9 AM at that specific location.
Practical Application
This knowledge is essential for coordinating activities across different time zones, scheduling meetings, understanding flight timings, and ensuring effective communication globally. By considering longitudes and time differences, individuals and organizations can plan their engagements efficiently and avoid confusion related to time variations.