A Clock That Is Off by Only One Second in 30 Billion Years
A free online seminar, 'Sunday Morning Frontier Exploration Series,' hosted by Keio University's Professor Emeritus Masaru Tomita, will be held on June 7, 2026. The seminar will feature Professor Hidetoshi Katori from the University of Tokyo, who will discuss the forefront of 'optical lattice clock' technology, an ultra-precise clock that is off by only one second in 30 billion years. Conducted as a Zoom webinar, the event will explain the clock's principles, its relationship with the theory of relativity, and its future applications, such as improving GPS accuracy, in an easy-to-understand manner for a wide audience from high school students to adults, regardless of their academic background.
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It also detected that clocks at higher altitudes run faster.
Keio University's Professor Emeritus Masaru Tomita's free online seminar series, 'Sunday Morning Frontier Exploration Series,' will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026. It will feature Professor Hidetoshi Katori of the University of Tokyo as the speaker on the theme of the forefront of 'optical lattice clocks.'
The optical lattice clock is currently gaining attention as a next-generation atomic clock with the world's highest level of precision.
Its accuracy is described as 'being off by only about one second in 30 billion years,' far surpassing conventional atomic clocks.
In the future, it is expected to be applied to:
・Higher precision GPS positioning
・Observation of crustal deformation and gravity changes
・Global environmental measurement
・Precise verification of the theory of relativity
・Updating the definition of the 'second'
Professor Katori is the researcher who proposed the basic principle of the 'optical lattice clock' and has been a global leader in its research and development.
In this lecture, he will provide easy-to-understand explanations for both science and humanities-oriented audiences on topics such as:
・Why are ultra-precise clocks necessary?
・What is 'time'?
・The relationship between the theory of relativity and clocks
・What it means for the passage of time to change with slight differences in height
■Event Overview
Date & Time: Sunday, June 7, 2026. Doors open at 8:50 AM, starts at 9:00 AM, ends at 10:15 AM
Method: Zoom Webinar
Target Audience: From high school students to working adults, regardless of academic background
Participation Fee: Free
Registration URL: https://biolab64.peatix.com
'The future is not written in textbooks.'
Sunday Morning Frontier Exploration Series
A popular free online seminar series held since 2021.
It is one of Japan's largest educational online seminars, with 4,000 followers and a total of 20,000 viewers.
Keio University's Professor Emeritus Masaru Tomita's free online seminar series, 'Sunday Morning Frontier Exploration Series,' will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026. It will feature Professor Hidetoshi Katori of the University of Tokyo as the speaker on the theme of the forefront of 'optical lattice clocks.'
The optical lattice clock is currently gaining attention as a next-generation atomic clock with the world's highest level of precision.
Its accuracy is described as 'being off by only about one second in 30 billion years,' far surpassing conventional atomic clocks.
In the future, it is expected to be applied to:
・Higher precision GPS positioning
・Observation of crustal deformation and gravity changes
・Global environmental measurement
・Precise verification of the theory of relativity
・Updating the definition of the 'second'
Professor Katori is the researcher who proposed the basic principle of the 'optical lattice clock' and has been a global leader in its research and development.
In this lecture, he will provide easy-to-understand explanations for both science and humanities-oriented audiences on topics such as:
・Why are ultra-precise clocks necessary?
・What is 'time'?
・The relationship between the theory of relativity and clocks
・What it means for the passage of time to change with slight differences in height
■Event Overview
Date & Time: Sunday, June 7, 2026. Doors open at 8:50 AM, starts at 9:00 AM, ends at 10:15 AM
Method: Zoom Webinar
Target Audience: From high school students to working adults, regardless of academic background
Participation Fee: Free
Registration URL: https://biolab64.peatix.com
'The future is not written in textbooks.'
Sunday Morning Frontier Exploration Series
A popular free online seminar series held since 2021.
It is one of Japan's largest educational online seminars, with 4,000 followers and a total of 20,000 viewers.
FAQ
Can I participate in this online seminar from outside Japan?
Yes, as it is a Zoom webinar, you can participate from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. However, the lecture will likely be conducted in Japanese.
Where are the host Keio University and the speaker's University of Tokyo located?
Keio University's main campuses are in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and Yokohama, Kanagawa, while the University of Tokyo's main campus is in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. However, this event is held online.