There appears to be evidence that the speed of light is slowing down
and time as measured by atomic means ( based upon the orbital period
of an electron around a hydrogen atom) appears to be slowing down when
compared to dynamic time (based upon the orbital period of the Earth
around the sun). My question is: are these valid observations and if
so, what are the implications to fundemental phics theories?

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 10 Mar 2004 07:25 PST

The earth's orbital period around the sun is definitely variable --
this is well-established scientific fact.  But I'm not aware of any
evidence to suggest that the speed of light has changed, or that the
variability of the earth's orbit somehow affects "time" based on
atomic means.

Where did you hear this?

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Clarification of Question by rdorsey-ga on 10 Mar 2004 07:50 PST

The paper that I am referencing is at the following site:
http://www.ldolphin.org/constc.shtml
The information that I have read regarding atomic time slowing down is
based upon observations made the bureau of standards with regard to
orbital position predictions of the moon and mercury based upon the
atomic clocks. According to the report, either the orbits are speeding
up or the atomic clock is slowing down. I'm sorry that I don't have a
link to reference you to.
I hope that this helps.
Robert Dorsey

The speed of light in a vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 meters per
second.  Because time intervals can be measured more precisely than
spatial intervals, our unit of length, the meter, is actually defined
to be the distance that light travels in 1/299792458 of a second.  So
in terms of the way things are currently defined, rather than saying
that light is slowing down, we'd say the meter is getting shorter. 
But neither statement is true.  Also, electrons don't 'orbit' around
nuclei.  Their positions are defined by a quantum mechanical wave
function, and they have an angular momentum, but they do not have a
precise postion or a well-defined orbital period.