The Science of Time 2016 : Time in Astronomy & Society, Past, Present and Future / edited by Elisa Felicitas Arias, Ludwig Combrinck, Pavel Gabor, Catherine Hohenkerk, P. Kenneth Seidelmann.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Arias, Elisa Felicitas., Editor.

Combrinck, Ludwig., Editor.

Gabor, Pavel., Editor.

Hohenkerk, Catherine., Editor.

Seidelmann, P. Kenneth., Editor.

Series:

Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, 1570-6605 ; 50

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Astronomy--Observations.

Astronomy.

Physics--Philosophy.

Physics.

Science--History.

Science.

Measurement.

Measuring instruments.

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.

Philosophical Foundations of Physics and Astronomy.

History of Science.

Measurement Science and Instrumentation.

Local Subjects:

Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.

Philosophical Foundations of Physics and Astronomy.

History of Science.

Measurement Science and Instrumentation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (X, 394 p. 169 illus., 136 illus. in color.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2017.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2017.

Summary:

The uses of time in astronomy - from pointing telescopes, coordinating and processing observations, predicting ephemerides, cultures, religious practices, history, businesses, determining Earth orientation, analyzing time-series data and in many other ways - represent a broad sample of how time is used throughout human society and in space. Time and its reciprocal, frequency, is the most accurately measurable quantity and often an important path to the frontiers of science. But the future of timekeeping is changing with the development of optical frequency standards and the resulting challenges of distributing time at ever higher precision, with the possibility of timescales based on pulsars, and with the inclusion of higher-order relativistic effects. The definition of the second will likely be changed before the end of this decade, and its realization will increase in accuracy; the definition of the day is no longer obvious. The variability of the Earth's rotation presents challengesof understanding and prediction. In this symposium speakers took a closer look at time in astronomy, other sciences, cultures, and business as a defining element of modern civilization. The symposium aimed to set the stage for future timekeeping standards, infrastructure, and engineering best practices for astronomers and the broader society. At the same time the program was cognizant of the rich history from Harrison's chronometer to today's atomic clocks and pulsar observations. The theoreticians and engineers of time were brought together with the educators and historians of science, enriching the understanding of time among both experts and the public.

Contents:

The scientific and technical uses of time and time series data

The civil and scientific understanding of time - education andoutreach

The history of time and timepieces, clocks and calendars

Social, cultural, and religious uses of timing informationHigh-precision time from sundials and the pendulum to atomic clocksand pulsars

Impact of precise time and frequency measurement in astronomy & basic science

Earth rotation and time Time and solar-system ephemerides

The physics of time.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

3-319-59909-7