lst

Lst is an acronym and file extension used in several different domains, so there is no single universal definition. In practice, lst appears as an abbreviation related to lists or as a suffix for files that contain listings or itemized data.

In astronomy, LST commonly stands for Local Sidereal Time. This is the time corresponding to the right ascension currently on the local meridian and is derived from the Greenwich sidereal time and the observer’s longitude. Local Sidereal Time is used to transform celestial coordinates to local sky positions and to guide telescope pointing, helping observers determine which part of the sky is overhead at a given moment.

In solar positioning and timekeeping contexts, Local Solar Time is another meaning associated with lst. Local Solar Time is based on the Sun’s apparent position in the sky and can differ from clock time due to longitude and the equation of time. It is used in solar energy calculations and sundial work, where a sun-centered clock is more relevant than standard civil time.

In computing and data analysis, lst is a common variable name standing for a list or array, especially in example code and tutorials. A developer might use lst to denote a collection of items, such as lst = [a, b, c], or to reference a list-like data structure in documentation.

The .lst file extension is used by various programs to store listings, such as software assembly listings, token lists, or simple data lists. Because lst is a short, generic term, its exact format and content depend on the specific application that produced the file.

Overall, lst serves as a flexible shorthand across disciplines, with meanings that are highly context-dependent.