Difference Between Eastern and Pacific Time

Eastern vs. Pacific Time

Every place on earth has its own standard time. This is because of the time zone. A time zone is a place on earth where it is properly located between the lines of the longitude. This is also one of the factors why you get jetlagged when travelling from coast to coast. A time zone follows a legally mandated standard time called local time. There are 24 time zones in the world which follows the offset coordinated universal time or UTC. To find out the local time, use the UTC plus the time offset in the location of the local area. In every 15 degree distance of every longitude from the UTC one hour is added eastward and one hour is decreased westward, until it reaches the International Date Line. This is the significance and importance of the time zone in determining the time of every place.

There are two main time zones one must know. First is the Eastern Time Zone and the other is the Pacific Time Zone. Both are standard times being followed in their local areas. Both also correspond to the time zone of the longitude. Both can help you know time but both are very different from each other. From the time they can tell and the places where they are located.

The Eastern Time Zone, or otherwise called as the North American Eastern Standard Time is located at the Western Hemisphere. It is located somewhere near the east coast of North America. You can determine its offset by subtracting 5 hours from the UTC on its standard time. During daylight saving time its offset is minus four hours from the UTC. In this zone the Mean Solar Time is the basis of its clock time. The Mean Solar Time is from the 75th Meridian West of the Greenwich Observatory. This time zone is called the Eastern Time in Canada and in the United States of America.

The Pacific Time Zone on the other hand can be determined by subtracting eight hours from the UTC. The Mean Solar Time is the basis of this time zone. The Mean Solar Time is from the 120th of the Greenwich Observatory. Pacific Time is the common name for this time zone in Canada and in the United States of America. The time offset of this time zone is determined by subtracting 7 hours from the UTC every daylight saving time. In Mexico, however, the Pacific Time Zone is called Northwest Zone and is subtracted by eight hours from the UTC.

SUMMARY:

1.

The Eastern Time Zone is also known as the North American Standard Time while the Pacific Time Zone is known as Pacific Time.
2.

The offset of the Eastern Time is determined by subtracting 5 hours from the UTC while the Pacific Time is determined by subtracting 8 hours from the UTC.
3.

The mean solar time where the Eastern Time is based is from the 75th Meridian West of the Greenwich Observatory while the Pacific Time’s mean solar time is from the 120th Meridian West of the Greenwich Observatory.

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