GETTING IN SYNC WITH NATURE.

The time "measuring system" has taken on a life of its own, bearing only an approximate resemblance to the natural occurrences it set out to measure. The "analemma equation of time" was created to precisely set clocks by converting irregular sun time to the even, regular tempo of mean time. Earth's orbit around the sun is somewhat elongated or elliptical. Thus, for the part of the year when earth is closest to the sun, earth is actually moving faster in its orbit than when it is farthest from the sun. Earth's orbit around the sun is somewhat elongated or elliptical. Thus, for the part of the year when earth is closest to the sun, earth is actually moving faster in its orbit than when it is farthest from the sun. This variation causes the sun's apparent east-west position in the sky at the same time each day to drift slightly. Earth is tilted on its axis of rotation 23.5 degrees from the plane of its orbit. As earth makes its annual trip around the sun, this tilt causes the sun's apparent north-south position in the sky to vary quite a lot.