Using the Windows Clock with Network Time Protocol (NTP) for Occultation Timing
Abstract
Composite video has been used for many years to observe and time occultation events, mainly because Video Time Inserter devices can accurately time-stamp each video image just before it is recorded. The use of Personal Computer (PC) as a video recorder makes use of the Microsoft (MS) Windows clock to time-stamp video recordings. There is anecdotal evidence of this method being used with Internet NTP servers with a timing accuracy varying from a few milliseconds to a few seconds. In this paper we demonstrate, based on 528 hours of 47.5 million continuous measurements, that a Windows system that uses the correct hardware and software, and a correct workflow, is capable of utilising the Windows Clock synchronised by Internet NTP servers to timestamp a video with an accuracy of better than 15 ms in 99% of the time. We further provide guidance that will enable a much wider range of video equipment to be successfully used to time occultation events.
- Publication:
-
Journal for Occultation Astronomy
- Pub Date:
- April 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020JOA....10b..10P