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City, coordinates and time zone

Select the exact location and way to convert local time.

Screenshots show the Ukrainian app interface. The English guide describes the same controls.

Screenshots of sample charts

What it is and why it matters

The city sets the coordinates, and the time zone explains which world moment corresponds to the entered local time. Without this, the same numbers on the clock can give different chart.

When to use it

  • When you create a chart or transfer data from another program.
  • When the planets are similar, but houses and corners are noticeably different.
Terms explained
UT, UTC and time offset
Universal time provides a common time basis for calculations. The UTC offset converts local clock time to that basis; do not apply it twice.
Asc and MC
The Ascendant (Asc) is associated with the intersection of the ecliptic and the eastern horizon. The Midheaven (MC) is associated with the upper part of the local meridian. Both depend on time and location.

Where to find it

A field for searching for a location in the form of chart or background data.

How to use it

  1. Enter the name of the city and select the desired population in the results, taking into account the country.
  2. Check the latitude, longitude and name of the time zone. If necessary, enter coordinates manually.
  3. If the source gives a ready correction to UTC, use a fixed shift. Do not add summer time again.
  4. Save the form and check GMT correction and UT in the data chart.
City, coordinates and time zone. Select the image to view it at full size.

Settings and options

Select an option to learn how it works and when to use it. The label beside its name shows whether it affects calculations, chart appearance or data.

LocationData

Search for a settlement in the built-in atlas.

What changes
It is the choice of the result that sets the coordinates and time zone; the text of the name entered without the selection does not guarantee their update.
When to use it
Select the right city according to the country. If there is no result, manually enter coordinates and belt.
Link to this control
LatitudeData

North or south of the equator.

What changes
It affects the horizon, houses and local astronomical events. South can be set S or a negative number.
When to use it
Check the location after hand-input: for example 50.45 or 50°27′ N; boundaries −90...90°.
Link to this control
LongitudeData

Eastern or western of the original meridian.

What changes
Affects the local meridian and houses. West — W or negative number.
When to use it
Example 30.52 or 30°31′ E; boundaries −180...180°. This is the geographical longitude, not the longitude of the planet in the zodiac.
Link to this control
Time zoneData

Local time translation rules to UT for place and date, such as Europe/Kyiv.

What changes
The automatic mode uses historical data, including time transitions. The belt is not a permanent repair for all years.
When to use it
Select the event belt. Check the warnings for historical dates and clock shifts.
Link to this control
Set GMT offset manuallyCalculation

Disables the automatic selection of time correction and allows you to specify it yourself.

What changes
Enabled: The "Shift from GMT" field is used, and the time zone does not define the correction. Off: the historical database selects the correction.
When to use it
Leave off if there is no proven source of another correction. The manual value should already include the desired summer or other time.
Example
Local 12:00 and the shift +02:00 give 10:00 UT. Add two hours to the time entered before this is not necessary.
Link to this control
GMT offsetData

The manual difference between local time and UTC is +GG:X or −GG:X.

What changes
Changes UT and the entire calculation. Available after enabling manual shift.
When to use it
The change is to be specified on the date of the event. +02:00 means that the local time is two hours ahead of UTC.
Link to this control
Local mean timeCalculation

Calculates the time shift by geographical longitude, as in local average solar time.

What changes
Completes manual correction. This is a different standard time than modern belt.
When to use it
Use only when the historical source gives a local average time; the current birth record usually does not require this.
Link to this control

The result

Angles, houses and local astronomical events will be calculated for the selected location.

Worked example

This is a teaching example; results for your chart may differ.

Situation
The source indicates local 14:30 and ready amendment +03:00.
What to do
Enter 14:30 and this correction, then check UT in the data chart.
How to read the result
The expected time base for the example is 11:30 UT; re-adding summer time would create an error.

For professional practice

Needed for auditing historical chart, relocating and aligning calculations between programs.

What to check for a precise comparison

Distinguish between automatic time zone and fixed correction from the source. For old dates, check historical circumstances.

Keep in mind

The Atlas is downloaded when you first search for a city. To use it offline, first perform a search with network access.

For old dates, check the historical correction with your source; fixed correction has an advantage over the automatic belt.

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