Local mean time

Local mean time is like a special clock that tells you what time it is in your own town or city. It's based on the movement of the Sun across the sky.

But because the Earth is round and spins on an axis, different parts of the world have different times. That's why we need time zones, so everyone can agree on what time it is in different places.

So, even though your town might be in the same time zone as others nearby, the Sun might be at different positions in the sky. That's because your town might be farther east or west within that time zone.

So, local mean time is a way to figure out what time it is based on where you are in the world, not just what time zone you're in. It takes into account the Earth's rotation, the tilt of the Earth, and other factors to help you know what time it is where you are.