![](https://lemmy.one/pictrs/image/73065505-1298-434d-9968-2cfe8ed3864d.png)
![](https://beehaw.org/pictrs/image/23b10d50-5c1f-45da-be43-07f234fc229b.png)
I’d argue that a more precise timing like 53.8 minutes is more attention grabbing. It shows finer grained control of technology; a “look here! we can do this too!” sort of demonstration.
If we are the “more advanced” neighbor; then I could see that being done.
That signal might be insignificant to us; but it may be their way of establishing a timescale.
The time may be derived from how long their planet takes to rotate…aka the length of one sub-unit of their day…aka 1/24th of their day.