Colorado Fire-Weather Alert Disrupts Internet Timekeeping
On December 19, a significant power outage struck the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) campus in Boulder, Colorado. This incident disrupted the operation of the NIST-F4 atomic clock, a leading timekeeping device crucial for global time standards.
Weather Conditions and Fire Alerts
The power outage was triggered by severe weather conditions. Hurricane-force winds and dry conditions led the National Weather Service to issue a rare “particularly dangerous situation” fire weather warning. To mitigate the risk of wildfires, Xcel Energy preemptively cut power to much of Boulder County.
Impact on Timekeeping
During this extended outage, the failure of a backup generator affected networking equipment that distributes time signals from NIST’s atomic clocks. This disruption impacted radio broadcasts and internet time servers, influencing nearly every internet-connected device globally.
Restoration of Accurate Timekeeping
Jeff Sherman, head of NIST’s Time Realization and Distribution Group, announced that a backup time scale system using additional atomic clocks at the Boulder campus was activated. This action restored the atomic clock’s offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to within a few nanoseconds, maintaining the system’s normal precision.
The Importance of NIST-F4 and UTC
The NIST-F4 cesium fountain atomic clock is one of the most precise timekeeping instruments worldwide. It plays a vital role in defining the second and helping calibrate global time (UTC). This ultra-precise timekeeping influences various technologies, including GPS, power grid management, financial trading, and the synchronization of clocks on virtually every internet-connected device.
- NIST-F4 contributes to the Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) alongside ten atomic clocks globally.
- The UTC time is computed by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in France.
- Dr. Judah Levine, who led NIST’s UTC implementation for over five decades, has played a significant role in developing backup time scales at the Boulder campus.
Historical Insight
During a recent visit to the NIST campus, Dr. Judah Levine shared insights before his retirement from the Network Synchronization Project. He showcased the NIST-7 atomic clock, which provided reference time until 1999 and remains on display. Levine explained a fascinating technique: turning the cylinder of the atomic-beam clock vertical and cooling cesium atoms with a laser enhanced the accuracy of timekeeping.
In conclusion, despite the significant disruptions caused by the power outage and severe weather conditions, NIST has successfully restored its timekeeping services, ensuring that the Boulder Internet Time Service continues to provide accurate time.
