2015 NIST Time Scale Data Archive | NIST

This article explains how the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) maintains accurate time standards, which are essential for global timekeeping. NIST-F1, a highly precise cesium fountain clock, serves as the U.S. primary frequency standard, with an uncertainty of less than 1 part in 10¹⁵. NIST uses this and other clocks to create the AT1 time scale, which is used to generate UTC(NIST), a version of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) that is adjusted to stay in sync with UTC as determined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).

UTC(NIST) is adjusted using data from the BIPM and is updated monthly to stay within ±2 nanoseconds per day of UTC. The article also provides a method for calculating the difference between UTC(NIST) and the real-time AT1 scale using specific parameters. Leap seconds are applied to UTC(NIST) but not to AT1. The information is based on research and algorithms developed over several decades to ensure the accuracy and stability of time and frequency measurements.

Source: https://www.nist.gov/pml/time-and-frequency-division/time-services/nist-time-scale-data-archive/2015-nist-time-scale-data

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