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Interesting Fact: Time Passes Slightly Faster at the Top of Tokyo Skytree Than on Ground

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Scientists have found that time passes slightly faster at the observatory deck of Tokyo Skytree than at ground level. This finding can be a demonstration of Einstein’s theory of general relativity outside of laboratories.

A group of Japanese scientists from the University of Tokyo has discovered that time passes four nanoseconds faster on the observatory deck of Tokyo Skytree than at ground level. The tower's deck is 450 meters (1,480ft) high. (Original article published on nature.)

The experiment was conducted in non-laboratory conditions using an optical lattice clock with a time loss of one second every 16 billion years.

This study is said to support Einstein's theory of general relativity, and can be implemented to read slight movements of the ground caused by earthquakes and volcanic actions, by reading the time difference every centimeter.

Professor Katori commented on Kyodo News that they have come one step closer to field applications.

Reference: 
Takamoto, M., Ushijima, I., Ohmae, N. et al. Test of general relativity by a pair of transportable optical lattice clocks. Nat. Photonics (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-020-0619-8

Karl Kimizuka

Karl Kimizuka

Hi, I'm Jpn/Aus, currently living in Taito City, Japan. That's near Asakusa & Ueno. A local expert. Enjoying the diversity. I like culture, food... pretty much everything old or new. Find me on Instagram or Facebook and share your opinion!

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