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InterviewSolution
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Mean solar day is the time interval between two successive noon when sun passes through zenith point (meridian). Sidereal day is the time interval between two successive transit of a distant star through the zenith point (meridian). By drawing appropriate diagram showing earth’s spin and orbital motion, show that mean solar day is four minutes longer than the sidereal day. In other words, distant stars would rise 4 minutes early every successive day. (Hint: you may assume circular orbit for the earth). |
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Answer» Every day the earth advances in the orbit by approximately 1o. Then, it will have to rotate by 361° (which we define as 1 day) to have sun at zenith point again. Since 361° corresponds to 24 hours; extra 1° corresponds to approximately 4 minute [3 min 59 seconds]. |
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