atomicclock

The NIST-F4 atomic clock, developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is one of the most accurate timekeeping devices ever made. If it had started running during the age of dinosaurs, it would still be accurate to within just one second today.

The clock works by tracking the natural vibrations of cesium atoms. These atoms are cooled and tossed upward in a fountain-like motion. As they rise, they pass through microwave radiation, which causes them to "tick." The clock counts 9,192,631,770 of these atomic ticks every second to measure time with extreme precision.

NIST-F4 helps keep the official U.S. time and plays a crucial role in systems like GPS, global communications, and financial transactions-ensuring they stay perfectly in sync. It's currently under review to be officially certified as one of the most accurate clocks in the world.

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