NASA researchers have developed a new system for measuring time on the moon, taking into account the effects of gravity and relativity. This is essential for future lunar missions and a permanent human presence on the moon.
Researchers at NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have calculated a new system for measuring lunar time. While not needed for most people’s daily schedules, establishing time on the lunar surface as compared to time on Earth is vital to realizing a permanent human presence on the moon. Earlier this year, the Biden administration directed NASA to begin work on calculating a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).
But thanks to the complexities of gravitational force and relativity, clocks in the Artemis Base Camp will move differently than those back home. This means entirely new clocks designed to run as accurately and reliably as possible. According to a study slated for publication in the journal, Physical Review D, the key to the new system is relativistic time transformations, better known as “time dilation.” “Our work is conceptually aligned with the broader goals of time standardization in cislunar and deep-space environments,” JPL astrophysicist and study co-author, Slava Turyshev, tells Popular Science. “These are foundational for future lunar missions requiring sub-nanosecond synchronization for navigation, communication, and science operations.” A single second’s length is experienced differently depending on gravitational force and relative velocity. An astronaut on the moon looking at an Earth-based clock, for example, would see it lose about 56 microseconds per terrestrial day. Although that amount may sound minuscule, it adds up—and that can pose major problems when multibillion dollar lunar missions and astronaut lives are on the line. “These systems are crucial for supporting operational efficiency, scientific endeavors, and future commercial activities on the Moon,” Turyshev’s team writes in their study. “Existing Earth-centric frameworks are inadequate for these demands, necessitating the development of an independent lunar coordinate and time system
LUNAR TIME RELATIVITY GRAVITY NASA FUTURE LUNAR MISSIONS
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