One of the Country’s Timekeepers Makes Sure We Ring in 2024 at Just the Right Second in” Time” by Auld Lang

I’ll be keeping a close eye on our clocks at NIST while people across the nation are making champagne and getting ready to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. &nbsp,

Not just on New Year’s Eve, but every nanosecond of every day, we keep an eye on them. The official U.S. time must be upheld by us. We can spread this information to the public in a variety of ways, which we refer to as “distributing” the appropriate time. We periodically transmit the time using our web clock, satellites, radio signals, phone lines, internet protocols, and other means. Gov.

Although we always make sure to have the exact time, many more people are on the lookout for it on New Year’s Eve ( when daylight saving time changes ). There may be a leap second on New Year’s Eve; this is an extra second that we add to the time globally to allow Earth to” catch up” to our official time. Even though we have n’t had one in a while, timekeepers like me find New Year’s Eve to be even more interesting now!

keeping time for the nation and the world, nbsp

To create the official time of day in the NIST Time and Frequency Division, we start by specifying the second’s duration. Actually, this is quite complicated and involves a lot of fascinating science. &nbsp,

For future definitions of the second, we are constantly developing better and better atomic clocks, but we also have our current definition’s main standard clock. By tuning themselves to the precise frequency of microwaves absorbed by cesium-133 atoms, these cerium fountain clocks measure the second. To calibrate a large number of commercially available atomic clocks, we use the primary standard clock. &nbsp,

We establish a clock ensemble by comparing and measuring each of these atomic clocks. For the best stability, we use a weighted average of the clocks because you would n’t want the entire nation to have just one clock keeping time. &nbsp,

The mathematically most reliable clocks receive the most “weight” on average. Therefore, if a clock begins to show drift or experiences other issues, it loses weight and has no impact on the average. Coordinated Universal Time for the United States, also known as UTC ( NIST ), is the result of this time scale. The International Bureau of Weights and Measures ( BIPM) receives our clock and time scale data from us. Our time is included in Coordinated Universal Time ( UTC ), which is a weighting average for the entire world. &nbsp,

Researchers need to come up with better ways to spend time with industry and the general public as primary standards rise. The use of precise time is necessary for things like GPS, mobile phone communications, and time-stamped stock market transactions. &nbsp,

I create measurement systems in our lab that we can use to remotely calibrate the clocks of our clients all over the world. Our clients are organizations that require extremely accurate time, such as research institutions, the aerospace, power grid, communication, and financial sectors. These customers depend on precise timing from microseconds ( 1 millionth of a second ) to nanosectors ( 1 billionth ) because time is so important to them. &nbsp,

Numerous significant users also require precise time, but only in milliseconds. We have the Internet Time Service ( ITS ) for this level of time, where people can synchronize computers and other devices to our internet servers. This is a feature that most computer operating systems have. You’ve probably used this service without even realizing it because your computer automatically accesses this data. &nbsp,

Time. The government enables simultaneous viewing of the official U.S. time across multiple time zones. In order to show the correct time on your screen, it actually measures the round-trip delay of the request to the NIST server using your computer clock.

As a Time Expert&nbsp, Welcoming the New Year,

I do consider resolutions and what I want to accomplish in the new year, like a lot of people do. When you think about it, it is kind of arbitrary. However, since this is the end of our calendar, people should think back on the past and make plans for the future. &nbsp,

Our perception of the speed of time is something I find fascinating. a few days ( and years )! Go by quickly, and some sluggishness. Even distant memories can occasionally come to mind when we reflect on the past, and some recent memories have already vanished. &nbsp,

Studies have shown that as we age, our perception of time changes. The older you get, the smaller sliver of your total life is each passing day, month, or year. A year is a significant period of your life when you’re young. One year only accounts for a very small portion of your life and experiences at the age of 80. &nbsp,

Memories have a significant impact on how we view the passage of time. Our brains categorize and store what seems important, and they remove the monotonous or unimportant daily activities. This explains why you might occasionally have trouble remembering what you ate yesterday or whether you locked the door. &nbsp,

Time may fly by quickly as things happen, but if we work hard to do new things and make lasting memories, we will have plenty of them. I make every effort to live a life that seems much longer and more fulfilling. Our brains have a lot of capacity, so keeping them active helps us remember and store all the wonderful times we’ve had.

&nbsp, Making the Most of Every Moment

I try to maximize the few seconds we all have each day because, as someone who considers time at work all day, I am aware that there are a finite number of them. I try to “gain time” by avoiding excessive sleep ( not something I necessarily advise, but it works for me ). I have more time to engage in other interesting activities the less sleep I get. &nbsp,

I like to make experiences for people. I try to create interesting art and have performed in bands and other venues. I’ve made food events with themes and puzzle hunts. &nbsp,

As a concert opener, I occasionally “perform” PowerPoint presentations. People are not expecting it, which makes this funny. I have given lectures on bloodhounds, ossuaries ( rooms or containers where the bones of the dead are kept ), conspiracy theories, and more. &nbsp,

My topics are typically only loosely related to other events that will take place that evening, but I never make them known in advance. Our brains are able to recall unexpected events. Therefore, even if people do n’t like it, they will remember it and report it the following day! The majority of the projects I work on are about defying or exceeding expectations, which is what makes them intriguing or memorable.

I also enjoy collecting a lot, which is another hobby that relates to time. I adore trinkets like vintage restaurant menus, unusual cereal boxes, ticket stubs for plays and concerts, and discovered pictures. I enjoy watching TV shows, playing with toys, and other items from popular culture. &nbsp,

These things aid in my ability to recall my past or learn about others ‘ pasts. Every item has a past. What’s the distinction between a commonplace item and an antique? Actually, what gives things more value to us is simply the passage of time or sentimental memories. A keychain or pocketknife might not be remembered unless it belonged to a cherished uncle who passed away. Then perhaps it has a deeper meaning or triggers memories. Family heirlooms are present because of this. &nbsp,

I happen to go a step further and use found objects, estate sales, or thrift store items with unknown origins to speculate or wonder about their past. It can be interesting to learn about complete strangers by looking through a family photo album or letter collection. Even once, I came across a stack of letters written by someone who was incarcerated and their sweetheart outside. People’s possessions provide such a fascinating window into lives that are distinct from our own.

Happy Holidays!

However, if you’re having a New Year’s Eve celebration, be safe, enjoy yourself, make the most of every second!