What does UTC stand for in time regulation?

The term UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time. This is the time standard that is used worldwide and serves as the basis for civil timekeeping. It is an atomic time scale that is periodically adjusted with leap seconds to account for variations in the Earth's rotation, ensuring that the time remains in sync with the position of the Earth relative to the Sun.

Coordinated Universal Time does not change with the seasons and does not observe Daylight Saving Time, making it a stable reference across different geographic locations. Time zones around the world are defined in relation to UTC, allowing for consistent scheduling and time comparisons internationally.

Understanding UTC is vital for various fields including aviation, computing, and telecommunications, where precise timing is essential.