Sidereal Day to Minute Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert sidereal days to minutes with our free online time converter.
Sidereal Day to Minute Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Sidereal Day).
- The converted value in Minute will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Time category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Sidereal Day to Minute
Converting Sidereal Day to Minute involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Sidereal Day = 1436.068 minutesExample Calculation:
Convert 60 sidereal days: 60 × 1436.068 = 8.6164e+4 minutes
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Sidereal Day and a Minute?
A sidereal day is the time it takes for the Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis relative to the distant, fixed stars. It is approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.091 seconds long. This is slightly shorter than the 24-hour solar day, which is based on the Earth's rotation relative to the Sun.
A minute is a unit of time equal to 60 seconds. It is also equal to 1/60th of an hour.
Note: The Sidereal Day is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Minute belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Sidereal Day and Minute
The concept of the sidereal day originates from ancient astronomy. Early astronomers observed that the stars appeared to return to the same position in the sky slightly earlier each day when measured against the Sun's cycle. This discrepancy led to the understanding that the Earth's rotation period relative to the background stars (sidereal) was different from its rotation period relative to the Sun (solar). Accurate measurement of the sidereal day became crucial for precise astronomical observations and timekeeping, allowing astronomers to predict the positions of celestial objects.
The division of the hour into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds originates from the Babylonians, who used a sexagesimal (base-60) system for mathematics and astronomy. This system was later adopted by Greek astronomers like Ptolemy. The term "minute" comes from the Latin "pars minuta prima" (first small part), referring to the first division of the hour.
Common Uses for sidereal days and minutes
Explore the typical applications for both Sidereal Day (imperial/US) and Minute (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for sidereal days
The sidereal day and sidereal time are primarily used in:
- Astronomy: To point telescopes accurately at celestial objects. Astronomical observatories use sidereal clocks to know when specific stars or galaxies will be overhead or in a particular position for observation.
- Astrophysics: For calculations involving celestial mechanics and the timing of astronomical events.
- Satellite Tracking: Used in calculations for positioning and tracking artificial satellites in Earth orbit.
- Geodesy: For precise measurements related to the Earth's rotation and orientation in space.
It is generally not used for civil timekeeping, which relies on the solar day.
Common Uses for minutes
- Everyday Timing: The most common unit for measuring short to medium durations, such as cooking times, meeting lengths, travel times between nearby locations, reading time.
- Scheduling: Used extensively in calendars, appointment setting, and timetables.
- Clocks & Watches: Standard display unit on analog and digital timepieces.
- Navigation: In geography and navigation, a minute of arc (arcminute) is 1/60th of a degree. Latitude and longitude are often expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds.
- Sports: Timing rounds, periods, or intervals in various sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Sidereal Day (sidereal day)
How long is a sidereal day in standard time?
A mean sidereal day is approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.091 seconds (or about 86,164.091 seconds). This is roughly 3 minutes and 56 seconds shorter than a standard 24-hour solar day.
Why is a sidereal day shorter than a solar day?
A sidereal day measures Earth's rotation relative to distant stars. A solar day measures rotation relative to the Sun. As the Earth rotates, it also orbits the Sun. After one full rotation relative to the stars (one sidereal day), the Earth has moved slightly along its orbit. It needs to rotate a little bit further (about 1 degree, taking nearly 4 minutes) to bring the Sun back to the same apparent position in the sky (completing a solar day).
Is sidereal time the same everywhere on Earth?
No, just like solar time, local sidereal time depends on your longitude. At any given moment, different locations on Earth will have different local sidereal times, corresponding to which part of the celestial sphere is currently crossing their local meridian. However, the duration of a sidereal day is the same everywhere.
About Minute (min)
How many seconds are in a minute?
There are 60 seconds in a minute.
How many minutes are in an hour?
There are 60 minutes in an hour.
Why are there 60 minutes in an hour?
This convention dates back to the Babylonian base-60 number system, which influenced later systems of timekeeping and angular measurement.
Conversion Table: Sidereal Day to Minute
| Sidereal Day (sidereal day) | Minute (min) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,436.068 |
| 5 | 7,180.341 |
| 10 | 14,360.682 |
| 25 | 35,901.705 |
| 50 | 71,803.409 |
| 100 | 143,606.818 |
| 500 | 718,034.092 |
| 1,000 | 1,436,068.183 |