International Atomic Time

International Atomic Time

International Atomic Time (TAI) The time-scale that has been used by international agreement since 1972. It is ultimately based upon atomic oscillations, rather than astronomical principles, and is the most accurate time-scale available today. Its fundamental unit is the SI second, defined in terms of properties of the caesium atom (see Atomic Time). TAI differs from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by an exact number of seconds, because leap seconds are introduced in UTC to keep it in step with the changeable rotation rate of the Earth. TAI was defined so as to be in agreement with UTI on 1958January1. See also Universal Time.

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"International Atomic Time." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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"International Atomic Time." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-InternationalAtomicTime.html

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International Atomic Time

International Atomic Time The most accurate time that is available to computers in a DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM. Clocks which adhere to this standard are accurate to one part in 10,000,000,000,000. Such clocks are often used to coordinate the individual computer clocks in a DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM which process TRANSACTIONS that are highly time-dependent.

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DARREL INCE. "International Atomic Time." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DARREL INCE. "International Atomic Time." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-InternationalAtomicTime.html

DARREL INCE. "International Atomic Time." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-InternationalAtomicTime.html

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international atomic time

international atomic time TAI the time reference scale established on the basis of atomic clock readings from various laboratories around the world.

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"international atomic time." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"international atomic time." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-internationalatomictime.html

"international atomic time." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-internationalatomictime.html

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