Subscribe now

Letter: Getting the measure of ultimate precision

Published 12 February 2025

From Phil Eden, Sheffield, UK

Your article on gauging vast distances with extreme precision says the 113 kilometres between two labs was measured to within 82 nanometres. I was wondering, was the measurement from the top of the grains of sand on the bricks or the bottom(25 January, p 17)?

Issue no. 3530 published 15 February 2025

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop