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What Time Was It 12 Hours Ago?

One of time’s most confusing concepts is how to define the passage of time, whether it be the passing of minutes, hours, days or longer intervals of time. When looking back twelve hours from the present, it can be difficult to calculate what time it was. This can be especially confounding if you are looking for what time it was across different timezones.

Defining Time Zones

Timezones are defined by a negative or positive offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). UTC is the baseline from which all other times are based; it’s the single reference point which all the other timezones are set against. For example, Pacific Standard Time (PST) is 8 hours behind UTC, so its UTC equivalent would be -8 hours. Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 5 hours behind UTC, meaning its UTC equivalent is also -5 hours.

Working Out What Time It Was 12 Hours Ago

Using the example of 12 hours ago in EST, as the Eastern Standard Timezone is 5 hours behind UTC, to work out the timezone equivalent of 12 hours ago in EST, you need to add 5 hours to 12 hours ago. So the answer would be 5am EST 12 hours ago.

Illustrative Example

Let’s say it’s 5pm Eastern Standard Time on a given day. 12 hours ago in this timezone would be 5am Eastern Standard Time. To put this in terms of UTC, you would subtract 5 hours from the EST equivalent. This would give a UTC equivalent of 12 hours ago of 12am.

Different Time Zones

Depending on the timezone, different results can be had when trying to calculate what time it was 12 hours ago. In conclusion, it is important to keep in mind which timezone you are in when trying to figure out what time it was 12 hours ago.

Knowing How to Calculate Time

Understanding how to calculate the passage of time can give you the knowledge of being able to quickly work out what time it was 12 hours ago no matter where you are located. Timezones can be complex and multi-faceted, but understanding the basics can make understanding the concept a lot easier.