Since their invention nearly a century ago, atomic clocks have become essential to modern technology. With recent advances achieving precision to 19 digits, they enable GPS, space navigation, and spacecraft measurements of planetary atmospheres and gravity. Atomic clocks also test Einstein’s relativity and probe fundamental physics. Most recently, they’ve contributed to imaging supermassive black holes. Despite their widespread impact, their workings remain mysterious to many. This talk will explain how atomic clocks work and explore their powerful applications in accessible terms.

About Dr. Eric Burt

Dr. Eric Burt is a physicist specializing in atomic clocks. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Washington, working on ion trapping and laser cooling. He later worked with Nobel Laureates on Bose-Einstein condensates, then helped develop one of the first laser-cooled cesium fountain clocks at the U.S. Naval Observatory. Since 2001, he’s been at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, leading efforts on advanced atomic clocks for space, including the first trapped ion clock in orbit. A senior IEEE member and APS fellow, he is the IEEE Distinguished Lecturer on frequency control for 2025–2026.