Marmet: Yes, so, we have an older clock in a copper room, which needs to be placed there because it's a very sensitive clock. Interviewer: And I heard there's a rumor that there's a clock here in a copper box or something?ĭr. Marmet: That's right, so it's called an atomic clock because it uses atoms, and the atoms are specifically cesium, which are used for the definition of the second. Interviewer: So you're talking about cesium atomic clocks, so what is that? Dr. Marmet: Each atomic clock varies by a few nanoseconds, and then when you calculate the average, taken over a period of one year for example, the difference won't be larger than about one microsecond. Interviewer: So how precise can you say we are on time?ĭr. Then, once we have all these numbers, there's an algorithm that we can use to calculate very stable time, which makes this the official Canadian time. The signals are prepared with all these electronic circuits, and digitized, and the time differences are recorded numerically on the screen. Marmet: That's right, there are actually about a dozen clocks, and all their signals are sent up here in this Control Room. Interviewer: So how is time actually kept? I see there are a lot of devices behind you, there are clocks… There are more than one clock, right?ĭr. Accurate time is very important, because it's used in all the electronic devices, the GPS systems, and telecommunications, for example. Marmet: So we do maintain the atomic clocks, we provide the most accurate time, and we make sure to disseminate it to all our customers. Interviewer: So what does a timekeeper actually do?ĭr. Here's a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how Canada's time is kept. Eleven hours, fifty-six minutes, and ten seconds. It sounds like this: NRC Eastern Standard Time. It's from this building that the official time signal is broadcast. There's a lab in Ottawa where you can find Canada's official timekeepers. But how can we make sure all of these clocks are on time? Exact time, to be precise. It wakes us in the morning, gets us to work on time (most days), and runs our mobile devices and our stock markets. A behind-the-scenes look at the work of Canada's timekeepers - Transcript
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