A Little Tidal Information
If you have been anywhere near the ocean, you probably know that the ocean is higher at some times of the day and lower at other times of the day. This is known as the tidal effect. What causes this?
The moon is the major cause of the tides. The sun also affects the tides, but has less than half the influence of the moon. The lunar day, that being the time it takes for the moon to reappear at the same place in the sky, is 24 hours and 50 minutes. Most locations have two distinct high tides and two low tides each day. Therefore, the hand on a tide clocks rotates once every 12 hours and 25 minute, twice each lunar day. While the tide clock will always stay in exact step with the moon, there are many other factors that can make the day-to-day tides a little earlier or later than the tide clock indicates.
During the new moon and the full moon, when the Sun, moon and earth are lined up, their influences combine and high tide is higher than normal and low tide is lower than normal. During the first quarter and last quarter of the moon, when the sun and the moon are at right angles, the sun cancels some of the moon's effect and the range of tide is smaller than normal. At these times the sun will cause the tides to be somewhat earlier or later than average. This is why it is so important to first set your tide clock on the day of a full moon, as the moon has the dominating effect with the tides.
One of these beautiful brass tide clocks will have a dominating effect on the decor in your home. The extra hand on the clock will definately attract attention and conversation will ensue. That's what nautical decor often does. How about getting one for the graduate, or simply as a great gift for those special friends of yours!
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