Latest news with #timekeeping
New York Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
The Swiss Railways Clock That Still Keeps Travelers on Time
In the 1940s, Hans Hilfiker, a mechanic and engineer, created an electric clock that has become a symbol of Swiss rail reliability as well as a design icon still seen today in homes and on wrists around the world. As an employee of Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), Mr. Hilfiker was tasked with unifying station clock designs and synchronizing timekeeping across the rail network. He stripped the clock face of Roman numerals and other ornaments, keeping a plain, black marker for each minute on a white dial. Its most recognizable element was a slender, bright-red second hand with a disc at its tip, much like the dispatch baton that station officials were using at the time to signal a train to leave a station. That red second hand swept the dial continually, driven by an electric motor, while the minute hand relied on signals from a central control. 'That was truly a quantum leap in clock design,' said Isabelle Bitterli of SBB Historic, a foundation organized to preserve and showcase Swiss railroad history. 'This design, which is so simple and precise in its function, naturally symbolizes the entire SBB. It represents accuracy, precision, simplicity and a focus on the essentials.' Minimalist clocks, inspired by Bauhaus principles, are visible in many public places around the world. But experts say the Hilfiker clock's reliability and its presence in about 800 rail stations today has ensured its position as an icon of timekeeping. Time Differences Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
World's most accurate clock requires a 2-mile laser beam
The ongoing race to create the next generation of hyperaccurate clocks has achieved yet another major milestone. On July 14, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced their new and improved optical atomic clock is now the most accurate in the world. Capable of maintaining accurate timekeeping down to 19 decimal places, the breakthrough represents a 41 percent improvement over the previous record, while also remaining 2.6 times more stable than similar ion clocks. The key to its ultra-precise measurement? A very 'shy' aluminum ion, according to the NIST. Optical atomic clocks are fairly complicated devices. Broadly speaking, they are designed to track the vibrations of individual ions–atoms with net electrical charges from gaining or losing electrons. To track the ions' vibrations, atoms are cooled to near absolute zero (−459.67 degrees Fahrenheit), then measured using lasers that count their vibrations. A specific number of vibrations known as a frequency ratio serves as the benchmark for a single second. For decades, experts turned to cesium atomic clocks as the most precise time keepers, but technological advances are helping usher in a new timekeeping device reliant on more stable aluminum ions. However, aluminum is tricky. The element is difficult to measure with lasers, as well as cool to absolute zero. But when paired with more controllable magnesium atoms, NIST researchers found that they could harness aluminum's strengths while mitigating its weaknesses. 'This 'buddy system' for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,' study co-author Willa Arthur-Dworschack explained in an accompanying statement. It wasn't as simple as finding the best buddy for aluminum. There were other issues to consider, such as redesigning the trap keeping the ions in place. Without the trap, miniscule movements known as excess micromotions would degrade the clock's accuracy. The machine's previous iteration gave off unwanted electrical imbalances that disturbed the ions. According to the team, the solution came in the form of a new trap schematic with a thicker diamond wafer and modified gold-coated electrodes. Other changes included an improved vacuum chamber system, as well as installing a far more stable measuring laser. Ultimately, the more-than-2-mile-long laser beam allowed researchers to measure ion vibrations for a full second, versus the previous 150 millisecond record. This reduced the time needed to measure to the 19th decimal place—shortening the time to measure to the 19th decimal from three weeks down to just a day-and-a-half. This quest to recalibrate the second isn't just for accuracy's sake. Measuring time that much more precisely could lead to new scientific and technological breakthroughs, as well as help researchers tackle some of the biggest questions in quantum physics and computing. For NIST researcher and study first author Mason Marshall, the latest accomplishments offer an exciting opportunity. 'We get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us,' he said.
Sustainability Times
12-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'These Clocks Just Changed Time Forever': Global Team Unites Ten Ultra-Precise Devices Across Six Countries to Radically Redefine the Second
IN A NUTSHELL ⏰ Scientists from six countries linked ten optical clocks to redefine the precision of the second. to redefine the precision of the second. 🔬 The project demonstrated unprecedented consistency in frequency ratio measurements, crucial for a new global timekeeping standard. in frequency ratio measurements, crucial for a new global timekeeping standard. 🌐 Innovative technologies like ultra-stable optical fiber links were used to achieve precision 100 times greater than satellite methods. were used to achieve precision 100 times greater than satellite methods. 📚 The findings, published in Optica, promise to transform scientific exploration and redefine the International System of Units by 2030. In a groundbreaking effort to redefine how we measure time, scientists across six nations have embarked on an ambitious project to enhance the precision of the second. The traditional cesium-based atomic clocks, which have long been the standard for defining time, are being challenged by optical clocks that promise unparalleled accuracy. Over the course of 45 days, 69 scientists from Europe and Japan collaborated to link ten optical clocks via satellite signals and ultra-stable optical fiber connections. This monumental endeavor marks a significant step towards establishing a new global standard for timekeeping. Redefining Time with Optical Precision The need to redefine the second stems from the inherent limitations of cesium clocks, which can deviate by a second every 100 million years. In contrast, today's optical clocks boast a precision so advanced that they wouldn't lose or gain a second in billions of years. Optical clocks operate by using lasers to induce precise energy shifts in atoms, creating ultra-stable 'ticks' that more accurately mark time. During the experiment, researchers conducted 38 frequency ratio measurements, setting a new benchmark for consistency. Four of these comparisons were unprecedented, underscoring the feasibility of a future global optical time scale. This initiative not only opens the door to redefining the second but also paves the way for testing fundamental physics, including searches for dark matter and validating the laws of physics. 'We Spent 8 Years Building This': Watchmakers Unveil the Most Complex Timepiece Ever Created in Human History As Thomas Lindvall from VTT MIKES remarked, 'Comparing multiple clocks simultaneously and using diverse link technologies provides more comprehensive data than previous pairwise comparisons.' This coordinated approach is crucial for identifying which optical clock will best serve in the new definition of the second. The Science Behind Synchronization The success of this project relied heavily on innovative link technologies. While GPS satellite signals provided essential global connectivity, their precision was compromised by factors like signal noise and atmospheric interference. To counter these limitations, scientists employed custom optical fiber links, which allowed for measurements with up to 100 times greater precision. 'We're Entering the Mach 5 Era': US Military's SR-72 Hypersonic Jet Set to Shatter Speed Limits With 2025 Debut These ultra-stable connections were pivotal in linking clocks in France, Germany, and Italy. Additionally, short-range optical fibers facilitated in-country comparisons within the UK and Germany, where multiple clocks resided in single institutes. This approach minimized uncertainties and bolstered the stability of measurements. The meticulous planning and execution of this experiment were not without challenges. As Rachel Godun from NPL noted, 'Some results diverged from expectations, highlighting the importance of using multiple linking techniques to identify sources of discrepancies.' 'Plastic Is Invading Your Brain!': Explosive Global Study Links Shocking Microplastic Levels Directly to Skyrocketing Dementia and Memory Collapse Anticipating a New Standard by 2030 With the anticipated redefinition of the second in the International System of Units expected by 2030, the findings from this experiment are both timely and revolutionary. The collaborative effort has not only demonstrated the feasibility of a new timekeeping standard but also highlighted the potential for optical clocks to transform our understanding of time. The precision achieved in this study is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the scientists involved. By linking clocks across vast distances and employing cutting-edge technologies, they have laid the groundwork for a new era in timekeeping. This research, published in Optica, promises to influence future developments in international time standards and scientific exploration. Implications for Future Research and Exploration The implications of redefining the second extend beyond precise timekeeping. Optical clocks could enable new tests of physical theories, offering insights into areas such as gravitational waves and the fundamental forces of nature. As scientists continue to push the boundaries of accuracy, the potential for groundbreaking discoveries grows exponentially. This project also exemplifies the power of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge. By bringing together expertise from multiple countries, the consortium has achieved a level of precision and reliability that was previously unattainable. Such efforts underscore the importance of global cooperation in tackling complex scientific challenges. As we move closer to establishing a new standard for the second, the question remains: How will these advancements shape the future of scientific inquiry and our understanding of the universe? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (21)
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Time keeps on slipping - literally. Why today might have been the shortest day you ever experience
Some upcoming summer days are actually getting shorter, literally. Even if it's only by milliseconds. While the change won't be noticeable, Wednesday might technically be the shortest day you'll ever experience. That's because Earth completed its rotation approximately 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds faster than the average 86,400 seconds. "In other words, we're not traveling back toward the Mesozoic in terms of rotation," Popular Mechanics reports. "The planet will eventually continue its steady deceleration — this is, of course, its natural tendency, but surface changes like polar ice melt can also contribute to the Earth's rotation slowing down." This phenomenon is invisible to daily life but of significant importance to high-precision timekeeping systems such as atomic clocks, GPS, and satellite networks. Scientists at the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service attribute the acceleration to a subtle shift in the Moon 's orbital alignment, which, orbiting farther from Earth's equator this summer, has reduced the 'tidal braking' effect that normally slows our planet's spin. Others, such as Moscow State University astronomer Leonid Zotov, said the cause of this acceleration is unexplained. "Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth," he told "Ocean and atmospheric models don't explain this huge acceleration." This spike in rotational speed marks the sixth occurrence of unusually fast days since 2020, with similar events expected to occur on July 22 and August 5. In response to the slight change, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service is now considering implementing a negative leap second, a rare adjustment that subtracts time from Coordinated Universal Time to resynchronize clocks with Earth's rotation. Such a correction has never been made before, but the growing trend may require one around 2029.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The Earth Is Spinning Faster—Here's Why July and August Will Have Record-Short Days
While the shortest day of the year typically falls in winter, summer will have its fair share of abnormally short days this year. According to TimeandDate, Earth will spin unusually fast in July and August, resulting in shorter days. From the point of view of the sun, it takes Earth roughly 86,400 seconds (24 hours) to complete one full rotation. This changes slightly from day to day, and these small variations are measured with atomic clocks. The number of milliseconds above or below 86,400 seconds is referred to as length of day. Until 2020, the shortest length of day ever recorded was -1.05 milliseconds, meaning it took the Earth 1.05 milliseconds less than 86,400 seconds to complete one rotation. Since then, Earth has beaten this record every year, with the shortest day of all being -1.66 milliseconds. This month,TimeandDate reports that Earth will get close to its previous record. On July 9, the length of date is expected to be -1.30 milliseconds, followed by -1.38 milliseconds on July 22 and -1.51 milliseconds on August 5. "Nobody expected this," Leonid Zotov, a leading authority on Earth rotation at Moscow State University, told the outlet. "The cause of this acceleration is not explained." Zotov added that most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth. "Ocean and atmospheric models don't explain this huge acceleration," he said. Despite this acceleration, Zotov predicts that Earth will slow down soon. "I think we have reached the minimum," he told TimeandDate. "Sooner or later, Earth will decelerate." In the meantime, scientists will continue to study the reason behind Earth's length of day variations. Read the original article on Martha Stewart
