Skip Navigation

Nasa to create time standard for the Moon, where seconds tick faster than on Earth

www.independent.co.uk Nasa to create time standard for the Moon, where seconds tick faster than on Earth

Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) needed due to differing gravitational forces

Nasa to create time standard for the Moon, where seconds tick faster than on Earth

Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) needed due to differing gravitational forces

Nasa is working to create a new standard of time for the Moon that will see clocks move faster than on Earth, according to a White House memo.

The US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) directed the US space agency to set up a moon-centric time reference system that accounts for its differing gravitational forces.

In a memo on Tuesday, OSTP chief Arati Prabhakar noted that Earth-based clocks would appear to lose 58.7 microseconds per Earth-day as a result of these factors.

Nasa has until 2026 to set up a unified time standard, which Ms Prabhakar referred to as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC). It will then be used by astronauts, spacecraft and satellites that require highly accurate timekeeping.

27

You're viewing a single thread.

27 comments
You've viewed 27 comments.