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Moon Time Zone

2023 MAR 13

Preliminary   > Geography   >   Miscellaneous   >   Miscellaneous

Why in news?

  • European Space Agency (ESA) has recently proposed the need for a lunar time zone
  • It aims for establishing a universal timekeeping system that will simplify communication and coordination among different lunar missions.

More about the news:

  • The proposal has come in response to the increasing number of lunar missions being planned and launched by different countries and entities
  • Its creation will help in future space explorations, including the possibility of establishing a Martian time zone.

What is Moon’s Time Zone?

  • Like the GMT of the earth which has 24 different time zones, a moon time zone is the need of the moment. The earth time zone is divided into 24. The difference between the consecutive zones of the earth is one hour and each time zone is 15 degrees wide.
  • The zero time zone starts at Greenwich Meridian. Similarly, based on the rotations and revolutions of the moon, a time zone should be created for the moon. This is referred to as Moon Time Zone.

How to establish Moon Time Zone?

  • The European Space Agency that initiated the Moon Time zone concept says that the moon time zone shall be established in two ways.
    • One is to set the time based only on the rotations of the moon.
    • The second way is to synchronize its timings with the earth.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements:

1. According to International Prime Meridian Conference, Earth has divided into 24 standard time zones, each extending over 15° of longitude

2. Places that are to the west of Greenwich will be ahead of Greenwich's time

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer