What is an atomic clock?
Oregon Scientific atomic
clocks automatically synchronize themselves to the U.S. Atomic Clock in Boulder, Colorado
via a radio signal transmitted by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST). Because they are synchronized
to the U.S. Atomic Clock, Oregon Scientific atomic clocks keep time better than
ordinary clocks. Just set the time zone
on the clock and it will automatically display the correct time. Atomic clocks do not need to be reset for
daylight savings time.
How does an atomic clock
work?
Oregon Scientific atomic
clocks work by receiving a radio signal transmitted from the U.S. Atomic
Clock. The U.S. Atomic Clock keeps time
better than ordinary clocks because it relies on the oscillation between the
nucleus of an atom and the surrounding electrons. To function as a clock, the U.S. Atomic Clock
uses a crystal oscillator to measure cesium atom vibrations at a frequency of
9,192,631,770 Hertz. At this frequency, the Cesium atoms change energy states. This frequency also falls into the radio wave
spectrum, so the U.S. Atomic Clock signal can be transmitted to your Oregon
Scientific atomic clock at home. When
divided by 9,192,631,770, this frequency produces one pulse per second. The U.S. atomic clock’s margin of error
is about one second over twenty million years, making it one of the most
accurate clocks in history.
What is a projection clock?
A projection clock is a
clock equipped with a projector that creates a large image of the clock face on
a wall, ceiling or any suitable projection surface. Oregon Scientific customers most frequently
use projection clocks as alarm clocks.
Oregon Scientific projection alarm clocks are designed to display the
time on the ceiling for 5-10 seconds after pressing the snooze button. The red LED light used for projection alarm
clocks is specially designed so that it does not dilate your eyes, making it
easy to go back to sleep. Oregon
Scientific projection clocks can also be made to project the time continuously
using the AC power adapter. The Giovannoni
Daylight Projection clock is designed to display the time in large,
easy-to-read numbers in both daylight and dark.
