Current Affairs Daily APRIL 05, 2024.

Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC): NASA’s Quest to Sync Moon Clocks

Here are the key points about the U.S. government’s directive to establish a time zone for the moon:

1. Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC):
   • The U.S. government has instructed NASA to create a dedicated time zone for the moon.
   • NASA has until the end of 2026 to establish LTC, as per a memo from the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
2. Why Lunar Time Differs:
   • Lunar time operates differently from Earth’s time zones due to the moon’s lower gravity.
   • On the moon, time moves slower than on Earth, lagging behind by 58.7 microseconds every day.
   • This seemingly small difference can significantly impact the precision of lunar spacecraft maneuvers.
3. Clocks on the Moon:
   • Kevin Coggins, NASA’s space communications and navigation program manager, explained that the same clock we use on Earth would move at a different rate on the moon.
4. Purpose of LTC:
   • LTC is being established in anticipation of NASA’s return to the moon.
   • After the successful Artemis 1 test flight (November 2022), NASA plans to send humans into lunar orbit by 2025 and onto the moon’s surface by 2026.
5. Towards Mars Exploration:
   • These moon missions are crucial steps toward NASA’s ultimate goal: sending humans to Mars.
   • Given the involvement of multiple countries and companies in lunar missions, standardized clock synchronization is essential.
6. Importance of a “Moon Heartbeat”:
   • Analogous to the atomic clocks at the U.S. Naval Observatory, a synchronized time system on the moon will serve as its “heartbeat.”
   • This synchronization ensures precise coordination for lunar activities and exploration.

Remember these points—they might come in handy for competitive exams! 🚀🌕