What Time Is It at the Poles?

[mathlete]

We measure time in different regions using longitude. But as you get closer to the poles, these lines converge (obviously). Does that technically mean it is "all times" at the pole where they all meet? And by moving one inch away, I can be in all time zones at once with one foot? Obviously, this is an absurd observation. Perhaps I am thinking too mathematically (such as Xeno's paradox), but what IS the time at the poles? What do we measure it by?

 

[brewnog]

Mathematically yes, one foot could be in all the zones at once, but seeing as the only people who are really interested at the time at the poles are scientists (and perhaps explorers), the time is usually taken as that which covers their associated research station or base camp.

 

[Adrian Baker]

An interesting concept. No matter how late you were for work you could always claim that you were in fact early!