MadSci Network: Astronomy
Query:

Re: Why is the switch from/to DST not symmetrical around winter solstice?

Date: Mon Apr 17 17:38:23 2000
Posted By: Neil Sandham, Secondary School Teacher, Science Teacher and Career and Technology Studies Coordinator, Chestermere Middle School
Area of science: Astronomy
ID: 955980959.As
Message:

Actually, your question is easy to answer. First of all, DST has nothing to do with the solstices at all. Although the two "time zones" were originally set up around the solstices, an Act of Congress changed this in the early 20th century. The most important change happened in 1966 (by then Pres. Lyndon Johnson) when DST as we know it was basically started. It was originally set up to save money by saving fuel.

Statistics show that it may also save lives by reducing accidents (according to the US Dep't of Transportation). Since 1966 there have been amendments to the laws to allow individual states to exempt themselves from DST simply by passing a state law. Two unusual examples of this are Indiana, where only half of the state follows DST, and Arizona where the Navajo reservation follows DST, but the rest of the state does not. Here's the basics of the most recent (1986) law regarding DST in the USA. Under legislation enacted in 1986, Daylight Saving Time in the USA:

In most of the countries of western Europe, including the countries that are members of the EEC, Daylight Saving Time: Observance of Daylight Saving Time elsewhere in the world is highly variable. Most of North America observes DST at the same times. More information can be found in the MadSci archives regarding the different hours of daylight at different lattitudes, and at the following address; http://www.webexhibits.com/daylightsaving


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