What time is it? The answer you give can be different, because you are in different Earth's time zones (时区).
Scientists are now thinking of creating a lunar (月球的) time zone. At the moment, astronauts are using time zones of their own countries. But there could be safety problems caused by the differences in time-telling.
Setting up a lunar time zone is not easy. Since gravity is weaker in the Moon, clocks run a bit faster there. After 24 hours, a lunar clock would be 56 microseconds ahead of a clock on the Earth. Another point to consider is that a full day on the Earth is about 24 hours between two sunsets. This means that lunar nights can be around two weeks long. With all this to think about, scientists need to decide whether it would be better to follow a time zone on the Earth, or for the Moon to have its own special zone.
For example, who should be responsible for keeping the time zone going? And how can it be made practical for astronauts to use?
There are more countries planning Moon trips in the future. The idea of creating a time zone on the Moon would make these easier.
A. Scientists must consider other problems too.
B. It is difficult for astronauts to live on the Moon.
C. Gravity influences how quickly or slowly time passes.
D. But how could you tell the time if you aren't anywhere on the Earth?
E. While on the Moon it is nearly 709 hours, about 29.5 Earth days.
F. They believe it would be better for astronauts to communicate by using Moon Time.
