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New study on measuring time and space published

ABU DHABI — The Centre for Information Affairs, Abu Dhabi, has published a new study titled ‘The Development of Sciences in Measuring Time and Space’.

It tackles an old as well as a recent physical problem — that is, the process of measuring time and space. This problem has a profound effect on the development of different modern sciences, particularly astronomy and natural sciences.

The study explains that “the time we measure is related to earth, as time in other planets is completely different”. It defines time as “a physical quantity that changes with the change of surrounding factors”.

There is no time in the universe that has the same rhythm or velocity as time on earth, the study explains. Earth’s time, it says, is affected by the planet’s gravity, its mass and aerial field. It notes that time on earth is future oriented and doesn’t stop.

Concerning time measurement, the study indicates that the second is used as a basic unit for measuring time. It defines the astronomical second as “the fraction 1/86400 of the mean solar day”. The length of a day is the time the earth takes to make a full rotation.

The study also touches on the tools man has invented, throughout history, to measure time. Among these instruments are sun clock, sand glass clock, water clock, mechanical clock, pendulum clock, spring-powered clock, and now atomic clock.

Man was also very interested in measuring space, the study says, mentioning that ancient Greeks used the metre to measure the length of places and objects. In 1790, metric system was adopted in Europe to measure lengths and weight. It was later introduced to the rest of the world, it says.

As man was interested in measuring lengths and weights, he was also interested to invent ways of measuring outer space, so he invented light year, after the development of astronomy in the 20^th century, the study points out.

The study notes that by being able to measure time and space, ancient human beings managed to leave the caves, build urban settlements, and organise their lives.