F-ckin Leap Seconds, how do they work?

[roll at Stupi.SE (Peter Lothberg)]

> > Leap seconds are to align the artificial and very stable atomic timescale
> > with the irregular and slowing rotation of the earth.
> 
> You are assuming facts not in evidence.  The rotation is merely irregular w=
> ithin the capabilities of our scheme of measurement, calculation, and obser=
> vation.  Once upon a time eclipses of the sun and moon were "random magic",=
>  before the mechanism was understood.  So to the periodic cycles of the rot=
> ation of the earth about its axis, the planet about the sun, etc., are view=
> ed as "magical".  This is not due to magic, but rather limitations of under=
> standing.

Earth is 10e-8 in frequency, a nanosecond a day is kindof 10e-14 on
frequency. 


Tom has done the work to document it..

http://www.leapsecond.com/museum/earth/

--Peter