Folks,
I just want to know where is the highest calibrating agency in the world...someone said its in germany... and I thought it's in USA, particularly NASA...can anyone tell me where?

thanks

Folks,
I just want to know where is the highest calibrating agency in the world...someone said its in germany... and I thought it's in USA, particularly NASA...can anyone tell me where?

thanksWhat do you mean by "highest calibrating agency"? I don't think NASA calibrates anything.

I think he's asking where the master standards are kept. I seem to remember hearing that measurement standards are being (or maybe already have been) changed from actual physical samples to time it takes for light to travel specified distances.

I'm sure other contributors will have a bit more info.

There is some information at NIST.

http://icdb.nist.gov/international_metrology.asp

Basically, it sounds like the various national institutes cooperate in comparing different standards, and no one nation is considered the official "master" measurements.

At this point, the standards are not physical objects, so there is no need to fly somewhere to mark your meter stick from the "official" meter stick. Measurements are based on physical properties so that they can be reproduced anywhere and there is no need to worry about a particular building being burned dow.

The one exception is the kilogram. There is still an offical chunk of metal sitting in Paris, France. I expect that will change soon, once an accepted alternative is developed.

Tim F

Thanks...Tim.

I viewed the site from NIST that's quite helpful.. :thanks:

You should check the BIPM website.....

http://www1.bipm.org/en/home

The National Measurement Institutes (NMIs) of the world that have signed the CIPM agreement and been assessed.

Hope that helps.

Hershal

thanks Hershal... Ill check the add. :)