Short Wave Time Is So Much Weirder Than It Seems
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Jan 18, 2023 Geoff Brumfiel, an NPR science correspondent, dives into the perplexities of time, revealing how it changes based on altitude and cosmic factors. He discusses his visit to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where atomic clocks achieve near-perfect accuracy—highlighting a clock affectionately named Elvis. The conversation also challenges conventional perceptions of time, intertwining it with concepts of gravity and societal constructs. Ultimately, it invites listeners to rethink the very fabric of reality.
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Trip to NIST
- Geoff Brumfiel visited NIST to understand how time is standardized.
- He found atomic clocks named George, Fiona, and Elvis, highlighting the human element.
Atomic Clock Mechanics
- Atomic clocks use hydrogen atoms' light frequency, like a tuning fork for light.
- This system, with 21 clocks, sets U.S. time with trillionth-of-a-second accuracy.
Continuous Counting
- These clocks constantly count, and missing a beat means losing track of time.
- This creates a continuous, crucial task of maintaining the flow of time.