Time, forward?

On the day of Russian science, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that he decided to cancel the transition to the winter time since the fall of 2011. In connection with which he gave the relevant order to the Russian government. “We are really used to every spring and autumn to translate the clock arrows and all out of habit swear, because ... human biorhythms are disturbed. This is annoying, everyone is either waking up, or wake up early and do not know where to put themselves for an extra hour. Well, I’m not talking about unfortunate cows and other animals that do not understand the translation of the watch and do not understand why milkmaids come to them at another time, ” Medvedev said at a meeting with young scientists and laureates of the President of the Russian Federation in the field of science and innovation for 2010 [1].

How did Russian scientists react to this initiative of the head of state? We publish a replica of Alexei Moiseev, cand. physical. sciences, leading researcher at a special astrophysical observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences, north Arkhyz [2].

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I work as an observant’s astronomer, I often have to move from daily and vice versa from the daily mode. And against this background, the difference of one hour between summer and winter time looks faded.

But still, the new bill on the abolition of winter time did not leave indifferent. Not only because the country seems to have enough more serious problems, which should direct their energy to the State Duma and the President.

The very question of whether the transfer of watches is really harmful during the year is the subject of endless discussion. There is a fairly reasoned point of view that the economic feasibility of this is only the apparent, and a small winning in the costs of lighting with more than compensated by the confusion in schedules and the deterioration of the health of citizens. But the desire to cancel exactly the winter time causes bewilderment for many reasons.

Firstly, as a “respectable astronomer” I prefer to live closer to local time, i.e. When the sun is at noon above all rises above the horizon. Now, in Moscow, that in our village - noon will always be in the region of half of the second. Secondly, the authorities once again show us that he does not recognize his mistakes even in small things. Last year, the clock in the Far East “moved to Moscow”. As you know, many did not like the innovation, especially those who suddenly began to end their working day after sunset. But instead of returning to the previous situation in these regions, we move the time throughout the country.

Thirdly, if we stayed in the winter time, then within six months (while Europe lives in summer time)-there would be no differences in time between the European part of Russia and the near abroad (Ukraine, Finland, the Baltic states, etc.), and the difference with most of Western Europe would be only one hour. A trifle, but it is pleasant for all traveling, negotiating with abroad or advocating for one or another integration with Europe.

And finally, pressing. In Russia, there are complex technical systems that, in order to avoid dangerous failures, have always remained at maternity (winter) time. For example, the space flight control center and ... our 6-meter telescope. Now, on March 27, they will have to be translated in the summer, which may be somewhat more difficult than correcting the timer on a mobile phone. By the way, in the phones everyone will have to make sure that the timer “out of habit” does not return to winter time in November.

1. Based on the materials of Interfax, February 8, 2011 ( www.interfax.ru/society/txt.asp?id=176659 )

2. Special Astrophysical Observatory (CAO RAS) is currently the largest Russian astronomical center for ground observations of the objects of the universe. The observatory is located in the Zelenchuksky district of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. The main tools are a telescope with a 6-meter BTA mirror (a large azimutal telescope) and Radan-600 radio telescope (radio telescope of the Academy of Sciences). Details from the site of the SAO RAS ( www.sao.ru ).