Navigating the Seas: Longitude and Time

Before the invention of GPS, what was the main challenge sailors faced in determining their longitude?

• Absence of precise timekeeping devices

• Inability to measure latitude

• Difficulty in navigating by the stars

• Lack of accurate maps

What was the purpose of establishing the Royal Observatory in Greenwich in the 1600s?

• To create a global time standard

• To investigate if longitude could be determined using the moon and stars

• To develop new navigation tools

• To map the entire sky

Which publication helped sailors calculate their longitude more easily in the 18th century?

• The Astronomical Journal

• The Nautical Almanac

• The Maritime Manual

• The Greenwich Gazette

What significant decision was made about the Greenwich Meridian in 1884?

• It was moved to a new location

• It was designated as the prime meridian of the world

• It was used to set local time in the UK

• It was abandoned in favor of a new system

Where was the Royal Observatory relocated to in the 20th century?

• Paris, France

• Cambridge, UK

• Sydney, Australia

• New York, USA