Re: ATM Synching to atomic clock via SNTP...

["Jack Brindle" <jackb@ricochet.net>]

This is an interesting discussion, I'd like to add two possibilities.
First, the cost of GPS receivers has come down significantly; you can find
them with a normal price well below $100US in many stores in this area. The
clocks in these satellites and the resulting times from the receivers are
very accurate. They might be a better source of accurate time than dialing
to any standard (and thus encurring the associated propogation delays).

Second, when the systems are usied with telescopes, AND a periodic
recalibration is performed (two or three star), you have the capabilities
for an extremely accurate time source. Feeding the solestial time back into
the computer could be a low-cost solution with excellent results. Somewhat
low-cost, too, considering you already have the telescope you would need.

Of course, there are various problems or difficulties with both methods.
For instance you don't exactly want to do a calibration in the middle of a
30-minute photograph. Still, using the stars to establish your timing seems
like a very elegant way of doing things.

-JackB
===================================================================
"My name is bud lightbeer. I come in pieces!"