Convert Second (Sidereal) (s (sidereal)) to Shake (shake) 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.
Shake (shake)
A shake is a playful but scientifically important unit equal to 10 nanoseconds. It originated in the Manhattan Project, where physicists needed a convenient term for very short intervals in nuclear chain reactions. A nuclear fission event occurs on the order of a few shakes, making the unit ideal for modeling neutron capture, reaction propagation, and weapon physics. Today, the shake appears in nuclear engineering literature, plasma physics, and astrophysics—any field involving extremely rapid events. Despite its whimsical name, the shake represents a meaningful scientific compromise: short enough for nuclear events, yet still relatable and easy to calculate.