Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

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Definition of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the primary time standard used universally as a reference for time synchronization across various sectors, including aviation, communications, and multimedia. UTC is based on the highly precise atomic clock and is maintained by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). It is identical to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and is calculated as the mean solar time at the prime meridian, which passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, UK.

UTC is crucial in ensuring accurate time coordination and synchronization across different time zones and countries worldwide. It is commonly used in offsets such as UTC-1 and UTC+1 to denote time differences in relation to the UTC standard. UTC allows for efficient and reliable communication, scheduling, and timekeeping in various industries and helps minimize errors and discrepancies in time synchronization.

Overall, UTC serves as a standardized and reliable time reference that enables global communication and collaboration across various sectors, making it an indispensable component in modern-day technology and infrastructure.

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