logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2020
11m 10s

How a miniaturized atomic clock could re...

TED
About this episode

Ask any deep space navigator like Jill Seubert what makes steering a spacecraft so difficult, and they'll tell you it's all about the timing; a split-second can decide a mission's success or failure. So what do you do when a spacecraft is bad at telling time? You get it a clock -- an atomic clock, to be precise. Let Seubert whisk you away with the revolutionary potential of a future where you could receive stellar, GPS-like directions -- no matter where you are in the universe.

Vote for our show in the Signal Awards for Most Inspirational podcast!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
Why the future is human ... plus AI | Sal Khan and Esther Perel
As AI reshapes work, school and love, what part of being human can't a machine take over? In a wide-ranging conversation, psychotherapist Esther Perel and TED's vision steward Sal Khan provide their unique takes on the answer. From personalized learning and AI companions to "emot ... Show More
23m 39s
Oct 9
The three words that saved my life | Blake Mycoskie
On paper, Blake Mycoskie is a glowing success story: he founded TOMS Shoes, building a global brand that has given away more than 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need. Yet despite his success, his struggle with depression nearly cost him his life. In this personal talk, ... Show More
18m 48s
Oct 8
How imaginary worlds help kids learn | Anna Rainio
All children develop at different paces — so why do schools expect every student to learn the same way? Early education researcher Anna Rainio introduces "playworlds," a learning activity where adults and kids create imaginary stories together. She shows how pretend play helps st ... Show More
17m 42s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2022
How a miniaturized atomic clock could revolutionize space exploration
Jill Seubert is a deep space navigator who shares the intricacies involved in space travel. This talk was filmed at TEDxUCLA. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth spreading. To learn more about TEDxSHORTS, the TED ... Show More
12m 30s
Jun 2021
How do you keep time in space?
Dr. Jill Seubert is a kind of interplanetary navigator who looks at the complex ways scientists measure space time. This talk was filmed at TEDxUCLA. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth spreading. To learn more a ... Show More
7m 35s
Oct 2021
Navigation in Spaaaace
Listener Terje wants to know about space navigation. We look at how orbital velocities, special and general relativity and even stuff like solar radiation can make navigating from point A to point B a big head scratcher once you go into space. Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
1h 1m
Apr 2024
How gliding marsupials got their 'wings'
In this episode:00:46 Optical clocks at seaOptical atomic clocks are the most precise timekeeping devices on the planet, but these devices are huge and difficult to work with, limiting their use outside of the lab. Now, researchers have developed a portable optical clock and demo ... Show More
28m 36s
Oct 2020
Telling the time: From sundials to satnav
Many of us can find the time of day quickly and accurately but where did the idea of time keeping originate and how did our ancestors manage without the instant access we take for granted today?From ancient shadow and water clocks to the latest super accurate optical clocks, Brid ... Show More
39m 58s
Sep 2022
Space
Liz Kelly launches into her thoughts on space travel. Hosts: Chris Ryan, Juliet Litman, Kate Halliwell, and Liz Kelly Associate Producer: Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
7m 44s
Sep 2025
How to build in space for life on Earth | Ariel Ekblaw
Is space the “final frontier” — or the perfect place to revolutionize life on Earth? Space architect Ariel Ekblaw reveals how self-assembling structures could build orbiting real estate in space dedicated to solving humanity’s greatest dilemmas on Earth, leading to scientific and ... Show More
13m 1s
Jan 2024
How to Keep Time: Time Tips From the Universe
Time can feel like a subjective experience—different at different points in our lives. It’s also a real, measurable thing. The universe may be too big to fully comprehend, but what we do know could help inform the ways we approach our understanding of ourselves, our purpose, and ... Show More
36m 24s
Jun 2025
Clowns in Spacetime
Can you slow down time by hurtling through space at breakneck speed? Could listener Saskia’s friend - currently one year older - end up the same age as her if he went fast enough? It sounds bananas, but it’s all part of Einstein’s mind-warping theory of relativity.With expert cop ... Show More
29m 57s