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atomic time

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Acronyms, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
atomic time [ə′täm·ik ‚tīm]
(horology)
Any time system standardized with reference to an atomic resonance, such as the international standard cesium-133 transition.


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One is established by the atomic time pieces, which are accurate to billionth of a second per day.
But, for various reasons, our planet rotates on its axis at irregular rates, and on average has been falling behind atomic time at a rate of about two milliseconds per day.
To stop things getting out of hand, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) adds a leap second to atomic time every few years.
 
 
 
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