COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME

An atomic time scale that is the basis for broadcast time signals. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) differs from International Atomic Time by an integral number of seconds; it is maintained within 0.9 seconds of UT1 (see Universal Time) by introduction of Leap Seconds. The rotational orientation of the Earth, specified by UT1, may be obtained to an accuracy of a tenth of a second by applying the UTC to the increment DUT1 (where DUT1 = UT1 - UTC) that is broadcast in code with the time signals. Also called UTC. See also International Atomic Time; Universal Time; ZULU Time.