On Tuesday, the Doomsday Clock was once again adjusted to 90 seconds before midnight — the closest it has ever been to the hour, as reported by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the organization responsible for creating the clock back in 1947.

What is the Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock serves as a symbolic representation of the world's proximity to its potential end, with midnight symbolizing the theoretical point of destruction.

Various existential threats, including political tensions, weaponry, technology, climate change, and pandemic illnesses, contribute to the possibility of an apocalyptic scenario.

The positioning of the clock's hands, whether moving closer to or farther away from midnight, is determined by scientists' assessments of the gravity of existential threats present during a specific period.

How does the Doomsday Clock function?

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, a non-profit organization situated in Chicago, annually revises the time on their symbolic clock, reflecting information on potential catastrophic risks to both the planet and humanity.

This clock's updated position is then showcased on the organization's website.

A committee consisting of scientists and experts in nuclear technology and climate science, featuring 13 Nobel laureates, convenes to analyze global events and determine the clock's adjustment each year.

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Originally established in 1947, this symbolic clock was conceived by a group of atomic scientists, including Albert Einstein, who had contributed to the development of the world's first nuclear weapons during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project.

What is the current time on Doomsday Clock?

The Doomsday Clock, currently positioned at 90 seconds to midnight, marks its closest proximity to midnight in history.

This setting, established in 2020, persists to this day. Notably, this year's adjustment signifies a global atmosphere dominated by heightened concerns about nuclear conflict, primarily fueled by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The inception of the Doomsday Clock dates back over 75 years when it was initially set at seven minutes to midnight.

In 1991, at its farthest point from doomsday, the clock stood at 17 minutes to midnight, symbolizing a period of reduced tensions as the Cold War concluded and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed, substantially diminishing the nuclear arsenals of both the United States and the Soviet Union.