Naked-eye Astronomy, Time and the Earth-Moon-Sun Cycles

Topic 4: Time and Earth-Moon-Sun
Cycles
Specification
Point Necessary Understanding
4.1 Understand the difference between sidereal and synodic days

4.2 Understand the role of the Sun in determining AST

4.3 Understand the role of the Mean Sun in determining MST and LMT

4.4 Use Equation of Time = AST – MST

4.5 Understand the annual variation of the Equation of Time

4.6 Understand the cause of the annual variation of Equation of Time

4.7 Understand how to determine the time of local noon using shadows

4.8 Understand the structure and use of sundials

4.9 Understand the lunar phase cycle

,Topic 4: Time and Earth-Moon-Sun
Cycles
Specification
Point Necessary Understanding
4.10 Understand the difference between sidereal and synodic months

4.11 Understand the annual variation in times of sunrise and sunset

4.12 Understand the astronomical significance of equinoxes and solstices

4.13 Understand the variation in the Sun’s apparent motion during the

4.14 Understand the relationship between sidereal and synodic time

4.15 Understand the difference in local time for observers at different longitudes

4.16 Understand the use of time zones

4.17 Use data related to time zones

Know the mean time at any point along the Prime Meridian is defined as GMT which is the same
4.18 as UT

, Topic 4: Time and Earth-Moon-Sun
Cycles
Specification
Point Necessary Understanding

4.18 Know the mean time at any point along the Prime Meridian is defined as GMT which is the same
as UT
4.19 Use shadow-stick data and the Equation of Time to determine longitude

4.20 Understand the principles of astronomical methods for the determination of longitude, including
the lunar distance method
Understand the principle of the horological method for the determination of longitude (Harrison’s
4.21
marine chronometer)