time

Latest about time

A strontium lattice optical atomic clock. Ultraprecise atomic optical clocks may redefine the most fundamental unit of time in the next decade.

Ultraprecise atomic optical clocks may redefine the length of a second

By Tia Ghose published

The length of a second hasn't been updated in 70 years, but ultraprecise atomic optical clocks are on track to change that.

Technology
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Time might not exist, according to physicists and philosophers — but that's okay

By Sam Baron published

Does time exist? Developments in physics suggest the non-existence of time is an open possibility, and one that we should take seriously.

Astronomy
Buying a telescope is an investment that opens up the night sky. Here's when to look for the right one for you.

The best time to buy a telescope: Shop smart and save

By Tom Kerss published

Get the best price for your new telescope by shopping smart with these handy tips and discover the best time to buy a telescope

Skywatching Kit
The Planck time originated with German physicist Max Planck in 1899

What is the Planck time?

By Andrew May published

Reference All about the Planck time: where it came from, what it is, and what it might reveal about the way the universe works

Reference
Star trails over Alberta, Canada, captured as the Earth spins at night. Earth's rotation has settled down since 2020.

Earth's spin has slowed. But we still may need a negative leap second.

By Stephanie Pappas published

After speeding up during 2020, the Earth's spin had settled down. A negative leap second may still be needed in the next decade.

Earth
big bang, expansion of the universe.

What if the universe had no beginning?

By Paul Sutter published

Astronomy
Stephen Hawking in front of a screen

4 bizarre Stephen Hawking theories that turned out to be right (and 6 we're not sure about)

By Andrew May published

Some of Hawking's theories revolutionized the way we view the universe, but others still leave scientists scratching their heads.

Astronomy
Can we stop time?

Can we stop time?

By Adam Mann published

Here's how we might stop the flow of time.

Astronomy
The sun sets below the rim of Gusev crater on Mars in this stunning view captured by NASA's Spirit rover on May 19, 2005.

NASA's Perseverance rover team will have to live on 'Mars time' after landing on the Red Planet

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Perseverance team will return to a time-honored tradition at NASA these past few decades — the tradition of living on "Mars time."

Mars Rovers
An illustration of a clock spiraling into space-time.

'Spooky action at a distance' could create a nearly perfect clock

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Quantum entanglement could in theory lead to extremely precise clocks that can hunt for subtle disturbances in space-time.

Astronomy
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