A new modification just made a super-accurate atomic clock even more accurate. The record-setting strontium atomic clock's accuracy can last for 15 billion years without losing a second.

This new optical lattice clock is now the most accurate in the world. It was developed by a global team of researchers, including members from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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The latest adjustment has made this clock three times more accurate, so much so it will lose less than one second over 15 billion years. That's longer than the Universe has existed.

The clock replaces the cesium fountain clock, formerly the world's most accurate clock that determines time based on the vibration of an atom of Cesium 133. The cesium clock can keep time with an accuracy of one second over 100 million years.

All atoms have a particular and predictable vibrational frequency and measuring this can be used to tell time.

The optical lattice clock measures vibrations in strontium atoms by using red laser light. Strontium vibrates at about 430 trillion times per second. Other improvements helped improved the clock's accuracy.

The optical lattice clock is now so accurate it can be used to improve the accuracy of satellite navigation systems, among other advantages.

TagsAtomic Clock Can Still be Accurate for the Next 15 Billion Years, accurate clock, Atoms, JILA, NIST, JILA/NIST clock, atomic clock