Standing On The Centre Of World Time
During my recent trip to Greenwich Park in London the other day I just had to go and visit the Royal Observatory and in particular the world famous Meridian Line. I had previously paid a visit to this amazing free London tourist attraction a few months ago, but for some inexplicable reason I somehow missed the Meridian Line, I cant explain that one. Maybe it was the fact I was on a date with my African Princess girlfriend, and my senses were blinded by her beauty. That seems like a good reason.
You may be wondering what the heck is the Meridian Line and what is the significance of it, don’t ask me, I haven’t got a clue. I was only there to take a couple of pictures, so go ask an astronomer, they will hopefully be able to tell you all about it.
Seriously though the Meridian Line at Greenwich in London represents the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude Zero (0° 0′ 0″). Every place on earth is seemingly measured in terms of its angle east or west from this innocuous looking line. When I was standing astride the Meridian Line, I was in fact standing in the eastern and western hemisphere of the earth at this same time. It was a weird feeling and I felt travel sick as I was doing it, honest. Also before I forget the Equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres, I wonder if they have a similar line over there.
You may be wondering why Greenwich was chosen as the Prime Meridian of the world, well there were two main reasons. First of all the USA, had already chosen Greenwich as the basis for its own national time zone system. The second was that in the late 19th century, 72 per cent of the world’s commerce depended on sea-charts, which used Greenwich as the Prime Meridian.
The decision, there for was based upon the argument that by naming Greenwich as Longitude 0º, it would be advantageous to the largest number of people. The Prime Meridian at Greenwich has since the late 19th century served as the reference line for Greenwich Mean Time. When you are standing in the courtyard of the Royal Observatory you can legitimately claim to be standing on the centre of world time, it was the official starting point for the new Millennium.
Looking down on the Meridian Line from above is a clock that looks a wee bit like a digital watch that were all the rage in the 1970’s. This clock is called the Millennium Clock and it one of the most accurate time pieces in the world. In fact it is accurate to one millioninth of a second, because it incorporates time signals transmitted by the 24 earth-orbiting satellites of the USA Navy Global Positioning System. I quickly set my mobile phone and watch to the exact time, now I have no excuse for being late.
The Meridian Line at Greenwich is a classic London photo opportunity, as well as being a place that has a fantastic amount of history behind it. Before you visit the Meridian Line, I would recommend having a wee look around the Royal Observatory, it is a interesting and free attraction. I would say that you would be a fool not to look around this historic building. The Meridian Line, is located in the courtyard of the Observatory and you cant really miss it, unless your mind is side tracked by other things!
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U know what, i want u to be my tour guider in one of the coming days coz i can see that u know much abt london history. And um convinced that u wont disappoint me.