Atomic clock will keep precise time for 15 billion years

strontium atomic clock

RIGHT ON TIME  A new atomic clock contains two ultrasensitive thermometers (center) that enable scientists to account for heat-caused fluctuations that limit the clock’s precision.

Marti/JILA

The world’s best timepiece just got even better.

A new atomic clock described April 21 in Nature Communications is about three times as precise as its record-setting predecessor. The clock, which builds off of that earlier prototype, would not lose or gain a second in roughly 15 billion years. And raising it just 2 centimeters off its surface would perceptibly change its ticking rate due to the slightly weaker pull of Earth’s gravitational field.

Future generations of atomic clocks could precisely trace Earth’s shape and form the basis of a global timekeeping network

Use up and down arrow keys to explore.Use right arrow key to move into the list.Use left arrow key to move back to the parent list.Use tab key to enter the current list item.Use escape to exit the menu.Use the Shift key with the Tab key to tab back to the search input.