The 365 Days of Astronomy Astronomy Cast Ep. 744: Lunar Time
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Feb 17, 2025 What happens when you try to measure time on the Moon? Discover the concept of Lunar Time, where gravity and relativity complicate traditional timekeeping. The hosts share amusing frustrations with modern audio technology while delving into how lunar navigation is affected by time dilation. They also discuss the importance of coordinated lunar time for future missions. This lively conversation wraps up with gratitude for community support and a reminder to stay curious about the universe.
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Lunar Time Problem
- What time is it on the Moon?
- The Moon's orbit and lower gravity mean it doesn't fit Earth time zones, and clocks tick differently.
Renewed Focus on Lunar Time
- Defining lunar time became important with the new Moon race in the 2020s.
- ESA and the White House started addressing this by forming working groups.
Lunar Time Requirements and Relativity
- Lunar time must be traceable to UTC, accurate for navigation and science, and scalable beyond Earth-Moon.
- Relativity, specifically the mass difference between Earth and the Moon, affects clock speed.
