For centuries, sailors could measure latitude easily using the sun or North Star. But to determine accurately at sea. Why? Because longitude requires knowing the time difference between a local position and the prime meridian.
For centuries, sailors could not carry accurate time (London time) on rough seas because pendulum clocks were unstable. In 1714, the British government offered a massive cash prize for a solution. meridian longitude
To find your longitude, you need two clocks: For centuries, sailors could measure latitude easily using
Together, these imaginary vertical lines run from the North Pole to the South Pole, dividing the Earth like the segments of an orange to help us pinpoint any location on the planet. 1. Defining the Terms you need two clocks: Together