# DoomsdayClock.net

> The Doomsday Clock is at **85 seconds to midnight** as of February 4, 2026 — the closest it has ever been to global catastrophe in its 79-year history. Maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1947.

DoomsdayClock.net is an educational resource that tracks the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic timepiece representing how close humanity is to self-destruction (midnight). The clock is set annually by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board, which includes 13 Nobel Laureates.

## Current Status

- [Current Doomsday Clock Time](https://doomsdayclock.net/#clock): 85 seconds to midnight (set February 4, 2026)
- [Next Expected Update](https://doomsdayclock.net/#clock): January 2027
- [Why 85 Seconds](https://doomsdayclock.net/#faq): Increased nuclear risks, Russia-Ukraine war, Middle East conflict, climate change, and AI threats

## Quick Answers

- **What time is the Doomsday Clock right now?** 85 seconds to midnight, set on February 4, 2026.
- **Has the Doomsday Clock ever been this close?** No. 85 seconds is the closest the clock has ever been since its creation in 1947.
- **What happens when the Doomsday Clock reaches midnight?** Midnight symbolizes global catastrophe. The clock has never reached midnight — it's a warning tool, not a prediction.
- **Who controls the Doomsday Clock?** The Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
- **When was the safest time?** 17 minutes to midnight in 1991, after the Cold War ended and the START treaty was signed.
- **How often is it updated?** Annually in January, with rare off-cycle adjustments for major events.

## History & Timeline

- [Complete Timeline (1947-2026)](https://doomsdayclock.net/#history): All 27 clock adjustments with explanations
- [Interactive Timeline](https://doomsdayclock.net/#timeline): Scrub through 79 years of changes
- [Trend Chart](https://doomsdayclock.net/#history): Visual representation of danger levels over time

## Key Historical Events

- 1947: 7 minutes — Clock created by Manhattan Project scientists
- 1953: 2 minutes — US and Soviet hydrogen bomb tests
- 1991: 17 minutes — Cold War ends, START treaty signed (safest ever)
- 2020: 100 seconds — First time measured in seconds
- 2023: 90 seconds — Russia-Ukraine war escalation
- 2026: 85 seconds — Closest ever to midnight

## Features

- [What-If Scenarios](https://doomsdayclock.net/#scenarios): Simulate how hypothetical events would affect the clock
- [FAQ Section](https://doomsdayclock.net/#faq): 10 common questions answered
- [Prediction Poll](https://doomsdayclock.net/): Community predictions for next update

## Data Source

All data sourced from the [Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists](https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/). DoomsdayClock.net is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the Bulletin.

## Extended Documentation

- [Full documentation for AI systems](https://doomsdayclock.net/llms-full.txt): Complete timeline, all FAQ answers, methodology, and citation guidelines

## Optional

- [About the Website](https://doomsdayclock.net/): Built with React, TypeScript, and Vite
- [OG Image](https://doomsdayclock.net/og-image-2026.png): Social sharing image (1200x630px)