Meridian zero: what is it. Where is the zero meridian?

The coordinates and location of any object on the globe can be determined by knowing the latitude and longitude of the point. We will find out the subtleties of the meaning of each of them.

How to determine the coordinates

Any modern map allows you to find the coordinates of any city, mountains or lakes. It is necessary to know the latitude and longitude indices.

With the first one everything is clear: it is defined relative to the equator - an imaginary line that passes in a place where the plane perpendicular to the Earth's axis intersects the center of our planet. It is the starting point, a kind of "zero" for finding the latitude value, the location of the parallels. The equator goes through several countries - Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia in Africa, Indonesia, located on the Sunda Islands, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia in South America. Equator provides a clear idea of the latitude.

Another thing is longitude. For a long time there was no consensus on what to take as the basis for the counting of this coordinate. Longitude is the determination of the position of a point on the surface of the Earth relative to the zero reference point from which the meridians depart. These are also imaginary lines that simplify the work with cards. The angle between each of them and the origin is long. Meridian zero is the basis of this coordinate.

The problem of determining the longitude

If everything is clear with the equator, then what is a "zero meridian" became clear not immediately. For many years, they used their "zero" in different countries. Of course, this created confusion.

Every country that respects science in the XIX century has already acquired an observatory for observing the heavenly bodies. It was the point of reference of longitude. In Russia, the United States, Britain and France had their own initial positions of meridians.

Longitude is very important in maritime navigation. And long before the formation of clear scientific reference systems, there were other methods that allowed not to be lost at sea. The first option was suggested by Johann Werner. Essence is the observation of the moon. Another way belongs to the genius of Galileo Galileo. Using a telescope, he observed the position of the satellites of Jupiter. The disadvantage of this method is the need for complex devices.

The method is simpler - the definition using the difference of local and exact time in the reference point belongs to the authorship of Frisius Gemme. But such an exact clock, too, was not at all.

Meridian zero became a kind of Grail - for the exact definition of longitude in Britain even offered a huge bonus. Then the problem was in the invention of the exact clock. What is the zero meridian, then exactly did not know.

The clock was still invented. The award for them was given to John Harrison. But in the navigation continued to use the ancient methods. The turning point was the invention of radio. Modern sailors use satellite data in determining the longitude.

Reference points

As already mentioned, every country that had an observatory made it the starting point of longitude. Through the Paris Observatory passes the eponymous meridian. It was popular in the XIX century.

In Russia, the meridian zero was named Pulkovski. The name he received from the observatory, located near St. Petersburg. It was used mainly in Russia. This "zero" meridian passes through Mogilev, Kiev region, Lake Tanganyika in Africa, the pyramids of Egypt. At the present stage it is not used.

The meridian Ferro, passing through the eponymous Canary Island, was popular. It was first used by Ptolemy.

Since the XIX century in England, the Greenwich meridian is used. He was entrenched as a "zero" for counting the longitude in the modern world.

The Greenwich Zero Meridian is an imaginary line passing through London. With Pulkovski he has a difference of 30 degrees, with a Parisian one - 2.

Meridional Conference

In 1884, eminent geographers and politicians gathered in Washington on the issue of settling the coordinate system in Washington. The International Meridian Conference brought together representatives from Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, Great Britain, France, Denmark, Chile, Venezuela, Japan, Switzerland, the Ottoman Empire and many other countries. A total of 41 representatives attended.

In addition to determining the longitude, the participants were interested in the development of the time calculation system. What is the problem? And in the fact that up until the 19th century there was no single unified time. All used local units. This caused confusion. The lack of standards hindered trade between countries with different levels of development of science and culture. Problems were with transport.

Where should the countdown of longitude begin?

Of all the existing start points, you had to choose one. The decision was taken by open vote, in which all the delegates participated.

At the conference, they decided which object should be the origin of the longitude. Meridian zero, according to the proposals of delegates, could pass through Paris, the Azores or the Canary Islands, the Bering Strait, Greenwich. The islands immediately lost by votes - there was not the proper level of scientific support. Paris, too, did not gain votes. Ferro, although popular, was also rejected. The zero meridian of London became the winner, only France objected.

A little bit about time

The first person to talk about the need to standardize time standards was Mr. Sandford Fleming, a simple Canadian engineer. Once because of the confusion over time, he missed the train and missed an important meeting. Thus, from 1876, Fleming sought reform.

The issue was decided at the above-mentioned conference in Washington. A system of time zones has been formed, which is still used today. Innovations are not all. For example, Russia joined the standard only in 1919. Germany, France and Austria-Hungary also joined later.

The starting point is the zero meridian. Oceans, seas, land this imaginary line passes. The borders of the 24 belts are the meridians. However, until now not everyone follows this division. The reasons for this are the size of countries. The most accurate clock in the world is also in Greenwich. By the way, the GPS system shows the origin of longitude not in the observatory, but for 100 meters from it.

Greenwich Observatory

Center for Astronomical Research in the UK and the beginning of the longitude - the observatory in Greenwich. This place has a rich history. It was founded in the 17th century by the efforts of King Charles II. During its existence, the observatory changed its location. The very idea of creating such an institution did not belong to the king, but to statesman Jonas Moore. He convinced the king of the importance of the observatory, and the main astronomer suggested that John Flamsteed. Soon the building was designed and built, the lion's share of financing was on the shoulders of Moore.

Here we established an accurate clock and a standard of time. As is known, the reference point of the longitude passes through the observatory. At the local level, the Greenwich Meridian began to be used as far back as 1851, and was approved at a famous conference in 1884.

The observatory was once tried to blow up! At the time of 1894 it was a unique, first case in the history of Britain.

At the present stage, the observatory continues to function. There are various instruments for research in the field of astronomy. In fact, this is a museum, in which there are many valuable exhibits. They reflect the history of science and technology, especially in the sphere of time measurement. Recently, a reconstruction was carried out, a planetarium and galleries were created.

Conclusion

The zero meridian is the point of reference of longitude and time. But this term can be used in other areas. So, in 2006 in Russia the collective "Zero meridian" became popular. "Not my words" is the most famous song of this group.

The longitude has been counted from Greenwich for many years. From the zero meridian lines, along which the coordinates in all parts of the world are determined, depart. He breaks the globe to the eastern and western hemisphere. Zero meridian passes through Algeria, Ghana, Mali, Spain, Great Britain, France. Thus, these countries are located in both hemispheres simultaneously.