ATM Atomic clock stuff...

[malsing@borg.ae.usr.com]

Thanks to all who replied regarding my message about
syncing computers to atomic clocks for timing accuracy.
I believe I have the answers that I was looking for.
Here is a rundown...

1. The Sky seems to have the capability to re-sync
to the system clock at intervals whereas Starry Night
does not (it's done manually). Since the system
clock is in sync with an "accurate enough" timing
source The Sky software will be as well.

2. WWV can (and has been) used for this purpose with
a simple receiver and an attachment to a computer.
I'm still not sure if WWV can correct for transmission
delay though. I'll check "Telescope Control" by Trueblood
and Genet and find out.

3. There seems to be some discord about which is better;
the Internet or radio sources such as GPS or WWV. In
my case the Internet access is free and I have all the
needed hardware and software to make this happen. I am
using Tardis to sync to stratum 1 at Perdue University
and notice the correction each 60 seconds is on the order
of 0.05 seconds. This does take into consideration the
transit delay for SNTP packets on the Internet. The USNO
also uses this Internet method and if we can't trust them
who can we trust ;-)

4. Regarding not trusting the USNO or universities; it
has been posed that a transit scope and timing star
passages is the way to go. This has been done for
centuries I'm sure but, the key word in item 3 is "FREE".

Once again, thanks to all who replied. You guys and gals
are great!

Thanks - Clear Skies!
Mark Alsing
Network Systems Engineering
3Com/US Robotics, Inc.