A Chronicle of Timekeeping
Our conception of time depends on the way we measure it
Volume 287, Issue 3
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Features
That Mysterious Flow
From the fixed past to the tangible present to the undecided future, it feels as though time flows inexorably on. But that is an illusion
How to Build a Time Machine
It wouldn't be easy, but it might be possible
A Hole at the Heart of Physics
Physicists can't seem to find the time--literally. Can philosophers help?
Real Time
The pace of living quickens continuously, yet a full understanding of things temporal still eludes us
Times of Our Lives
Whether they're counting minutes, months or years, biological clocks help to keep our brains and bodies running on schedule
Remembering When
Several brain structures contribute to "mind time," organizing chronologies of remembered events
Clocking Cultures
What is time? The answer varies from society to society
Ultimate Clocks
Atomic clocks are shrinking to microchip size, heading for space--and approaching the limits of useful precision
From Instantaneous to Eternal
The units of time range from the infinitesimally brief to the interminably long.The descriptions given here attempt to convey a sense of this vast chronological span.