[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

F-ckin Leap Seconds, how do they work?



Owen DeLong <owen at delong.com> wrote:
>
> Since we have a tradition of measuring diurnal and other repetitive
> cycles (days) based on the rotation of the earth, we end up with fudge
> factors to make that line up with months from time to time. (leap
> seconds).

That is not what leap seconds are.

Leap seconds are to align the artificial and very stable atomic timescale
with the irregular and slowing rotation of the earth.

Tony.
-- 
f.anthony.n.finch  <dot at dotat.at>  http://dotat.at/
Faeroes, South-east Iceland: Easterly 5 or 6, backing northeasterly 4 or 5.
Moderate. Occasional rain, fog patches in Faeroes. Moderate or good,
occasionally very poor in Faeroes.