Terrestrial Time

Terrestrial Timename

• 1

  astronomynatural-sciencestimeA modern astronomical time standard defined by the International Astronomical Union, primarily for time-measurements of astronomical observations made from the surface of the Earth.

terrestrial timenoun

• 1

  A time standard proposed by Sandford Fleming in the late 19th century to replace Greenwich time and Paris time by one that is universally adopted.

  • Whenever exact time was required for any purpose, terrestrial time, assuming it to be in general use, would be available.
  • Sanford Fleming, director of the Canadian Pacific Railway, insisted on the necessary introduction of a uniform time for the whole world: terrestrial time. Whereas Dowd's national system only encompassed North American railroads, Fleming's terrestrial time extended around the world and was called cosmopolitan time (Bartky 2007).
• 2

  literaturemediapublishingTime based on the time system used on Earth, consisting of 24-hour days.