Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) is the primary time standard used worldwide. It is a global timescale that provides a common reference for timekeeping around the globe. UTC is based on International Atomic Time (TAI) but is adjusted to keep it within 0.9 seconds of Coordinated Universal Time (UT1), which is a measure of the Earth's rotation.
UTC is widely utilized in a variety of applications, including telecommunications, aviation, navigation, and global computer networks, to ensure that events occur at the same time globally. It serves as the basis for civil timekeeping and is used to synchronize clocks and timing devices across different time zones.
UTC is an atomic timescale, derived from over 400 atomic clocks located in various timing laboratories worldwide. These clocks use the vibrations of atoms to provide extremely accurate timekeeping. It is independent of any geographic location or time zone, making UTC a truly universal time standard.
To account for irregularities in the Earth's rotation, UTC incorporates "leap seconds" when necessary, which represent the adjustment needed to align atomic time with the Earth's rotation. These leap seconds ensure that the time of day remains in sync with the Earth's rotation, preventing a significant drift in timekeeping.
In summary, Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) is a globally recognized time standard that provides a common reference for timekeeping. It is derived from atomic clocks and incorporates leap seconds to account for the Earth's irregular rotation. UTC is widely used to synchronize clocks and timekeeping devices across different time zones and serves as the basis for civil timekeeping worldwide.
