”About The U.S. Naval Observatory” (på engelska). usno.navy.mil. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. https://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/about-us/about-the-usno. Läst 12 juli 2021. ”The United States Naval Observatory is an Echelon-IV operational command reporting to the Commander, Navy Oceanography and Meteorology Command. The Observatory's headquarters are located in Washington, DC, with field activities located at the Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station (NOFS) in Flagstaff, AZ and the USNO Alternate Master Clock located at Schriever Air Force Base near Colorado Springs, CO
The U.S. Naval Observatory performs an essential scientific role for the United States, the Navy, and the Department of Defense. Its mission includes determining the positions and motions of the Earth, Sun, Moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects; providing astronomical data; determining precise time; measuring the Earth's rotation; and maintaining the Master Clock for the United States. Observatory astronomers formulate the theories and conduct the relevant research necessary to improve these mission goals. This astronomical and timing data, essential for accurate navigation and the support of communications on Earth and in Space, is vital to the Navy and Department of Defense. It is also used extensively by other agencies of the government and the public at large.”
