Longitude problem
The Longitude problem refers to the difficulty navigators faced in determining their exact east-west position at sea. While measuring latitude was relatively straightforward using the sun or stars, knowing precise longitude was challenging, particularly because the Earth rotates and timekeeping was inaccurate at sea. This uncertainty led to dangerous navigational errors and shipwrecks. The solution came in the 18th century with the creation of accurate marine chronometers, which allowed sailors to compare local time with a reference time (such as Greenwich Mean Time), making it possible to calculate their longitude and navigate safely.
Additional Insights
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The Longitude Problem refers to the historical challenge of determining a ship's exact east-west position at sea. While latitude (north-south) can be measured by the North Star or the sun's height, longitude (east-west) is trickier since it requires precise timekeeping. Without accurate clocks, navigators could easily miscalculate their position, leading to dangerous misnavigation. The challenge was notably solved in the 18th century by John Harrison, who developed a marine chronometer that accurately kept time at sea, allowing sailors to calculate their longitude and greatly improving maritime safety and exploration.