ATOMS... Nature's Perfect Timekeepers.

Atomic clocks have revolutionized how we tell time. These astoundingly accurate devices touch the lives of every person on Earth and keep us in sync no matter where we are. They make possible world-changing technologies such as GPS and help scientists explore some of the universe’s deepest mysteries.

Harnessing atomic time is one of humanity’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring achievements.

Click on the NIST hyperlinks below to learn more about atomic clocks.

How do atomic clocks work?
How do atomic clocks help us tell time?
History of atomic clocks
What do atomic clocks help us do? (coming soon)
How do atomic clocks advance science? (coming soon)