Time and Time Again: Basic Concepts

Aired November 15, 2017

"Time can be can be the most confusing aspect of astronomy." — Laurence G. Taft, Computational Spherical Astronomy

Time is also confusing for those trying to use software from the various software sets in use at JPL if they are pre-SPICE/Monte. The time system in use can be: not known by the users, assumed to be understood, regarded as irrelevant, or use date dependent configurations that are not in sync.

This talk was first given in January of 2012. However, time marches on and change comes with it. New people are in the section, people change jobs, leap seconds occur. This talk will go over: the various time systems in common use here, how they are used, and which one(s) to use if you have a choice in the matter.