First Nuclear Clocks Begin to Tick in Vienna and Beijing

“The New York Times says teams in Vienna and Beijing built the first nuclear clocks, timing the squishing and unsquishing of thorium-229 nuclei.” — Dr. Nina Byte, on air

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on Market Hours
Published 11:04 AM ET, Wednesday, October 7, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “In Vienna and Beijing, the First Nuclear Clocks Begin to Tick”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 11:04 AM ET on Market Hours, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Beijing.
BBN covered this story before: Taiwan Jumps 2.59% as Japan 30-Year Yield Hits Record (October 6).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesIn Vienna and Beijing, the First Nuclear Clocks Begin to Tick

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe New York Times says teams in Vienna and Beijing built the first nuclear clocks, timing the squishing and unsquishing of thorium-229 nuclei.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSomeday they could beat atomic clocks.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentNina, a clock that ticks inside the atom! Bro, I am so excited I forgot to be late to something!
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentKenji, it's a lab experiment, not a watch. And whichever algorithm wrote your enthusiasm, I see you.