Convert Second (Sidereal) (s (sidereal)) to Second (s) instantly.
About these units
Second (Sidereal) (s (sidereal))
A sidereal second is 1/60 of a sidereal minute, equal to about 0.99727 solar seconds. While the difference seems small, it accumulates noticeably over long observing sessions. Sidereal seconds ensure that telescope mounts and tracking systems remain synchronized with the rotation of the celestial sphere. The distinction between solar and sidereal seconds underscores the complexity of Earth's rotational dynamics—reminding us that even "one second" depends on which cosmic frame of reference we choose.
Second (s)
The second is the fundamental SI unit of time and the basis for nearly every modern timing system, from everyday clocks to astronomical calculations and quantum physics. Historically, the second was defined as 1/86,400 of a mean solar day—reflecting Earth's rotation. But because Earth's rotation is not perfectly constant, this definition proved insufficient for scientific precision. Today, the second is defined by the vibration frequency of the cesium-133 atom, specifically 9,192,631,770 oscillations of its hyperfine transition. This atomic definition gives the second extraordinary accuracy and stability, enabling technologies like GPS, satellite communications, deep-space navigation, and particle physics experiments. The second sits at the intersection of human history and cutting-edge physics: once tied to the apparent motion of the Sun, it is now anchored to a universal atomic constant, making it one of the most precisely defined units in science.