Dictionary term
GPS Time
Direct answer
GPS Time is a continuous atomic time scale used by the Global Positioning System, beginning at 1980 January 6 and omitting leap seconds.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Also appears in
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Aliases
- None listed
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
Quick reference
- Use when
- Use GPS Time for satellite navigation, receiver logs, and conversions involving GPS week and seconds-of-week.
- Do not use it for
- Do not convert GPS week values without handling week-number rollover and the applicable leap-second table.
- Reference category
- Calendars & Timekeeping
- Related terms
- Geocentric Coordinate Time, Unix Time, Calendar, Julian Date
The story behind GPS Time
The GPS epoch was set when the system began, with GPS Time initially aligned to UTC but thereafter left continuous.
GPS Time in spiritual tradition
Spiritually, GPS Time is an example of invisible shared timing supporting practical orientation on Earth.
The Great Almanac frames GPS Time with educational restraint. Mystical or symbolic language may be meaningful, but it should not be exaggerated into certainty, panic, or permission to ignore ordinary responsibility.
GPS Time in the Bible
This is a factual calendar, astronomy, Earth-science, cultural-history, or observational reference. It can support wonder and practical planning without becoming a claim of fate, spiritual causation, or private revelation.
GPS Time in numerology
GPS Time is not a numerology claim. Any numbers attached to it should retain their ordinary scientific, calendrical, navigational, or historical meaning unless a separate symbolic interpretation is clearly labeled.
Why GPS Time matters
Navigation receivers must know its offsets from UTC and TAI to turn satellite signals into accurate positions and civil timestamps.
Example in a reading: GPS Time remains 19 seconds behind TAI, while its offset from UTC changes when UTC receives leap seconds.
Interpretive caution: Do not convert GPS week values without handling week-number rollover and the applicable leap-second table.
How GPS Time is used in a reading
Use GPS Time for satellite navigation, receiver logs, and conversions involving GPS week and seconds-of-week.
Where interpretation stops
GPS Time is presented as sourced astronomy, calendrical, Earth-science, cultural, or instrument-history reference. Definitions should distinguish measured phenomena from civil convention and historical interpretation, preserve location and time dependencies, and avoid turning factual sky data into a deterministic personal claim.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NIST: UTC(NIST) Time Scale - Official description of UTC realization, atomic time, and leap-second coordination.
- BIPM SI Brochure Annex: Time - International metrology reference for the SI second, TAI, UTC, and Terrestrial Time.
The page starts with a direct definition, then separates use, example, caution, spiritual meaning, and historical context. For astrology, occult, demonology, curse, and spiritual warfare terms, the editorial rule is to explain the term without making fear-based, fatalistic, medical, legal, financial, or ritual-instruction claims.
Continue learning
Place this timekeeping idea beside the current sky, universal timing, and live celestial positions.
Open Worldwide WatchRelated terms
These related entries help place GPS Time inside a wider reference cluster instead of leaving it as a standalone keyword.
