Calendars and time
Local Apparent Solar Time
Direct answer
Local Apparent Solar Time is time derived from the hour angle of the actual Sun at a specific longitude.
Local Apparent Solar Time is local sundial time based on the true Sun.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Related
- Solar Noon, Local Mean Solar Time, Calendar, Julian Date
Local Apparent Solar Time is local sundial time based on the true Sun.
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The story behind Local Apparent Solar Time
Communities used local apparent time before mechanical clocks and rail travel encouraged mean and standard time.
Why Local Apparent Solar Time matters
Local Apparent Solar Time varies against uniform clock time through the year and from longitude to longitude.
How to read Local Apparent Solar Time
Local Apparent Solar Time comes up when interpreting sundials, historical observations, and true-solar noon.
Local Apparent Solar Time in practice: an example
At Local Apparent Solar Time 12:00, the true Sun is on the local meridian.
Where readings of Local Apparent Solar Time go wrong
A common error is to compare apparent times from two places without correcting for longitude and date.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical Almanac Glossary - Reference definitions for astronomical periods, coordinates, dates, and time scales.
- NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory: Solar Calculator Glossary - NOAA definitions for solar geometry, atmospheric refraction, and civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Read the local Sun clock
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More in Calendars & Timekeeping
- Old Style Date
- Universal Time
- Apparent Solar Day
- Callippic Cycle
- Draconic Month
- Geocentric Coordinate Time
- Intercalation
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Common questions
What is Local Apparent Solar Time?
Local Apparent Solar Time is time derived from the hour angle of the actual Sun at a specific longitude.
What do people get wrong about Local Apparent Solar Time?
A common error is to compare apparent times from two places without correcting for longitude and date.
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