The Longest Minute

EddieWalker · Dec 28, 2005

I just read that New Years Day will be postponed by one second to adjust for variations in the Earths orbit. The last time this was done was 7 years ago.

There will be 61 seconds between 11:59 and midnight on Dec 31, 2005.

Eddie

JazzDad · Dec 28, 2005

I'm thinking of a way to use that extra second in the most productive manner.

Highbeam · Dec 28, 2005

I'll have to reset my watch. It's just like daylight savings time.

Farmwithjunk · Dec 28, 2005

I saw a report on Fox News about this topic. (So I KNOW it's right... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)

They say this happens about every other year, except on leap years. Only effects atomic clocks and those of us who have to do EVERYTHING by the book.

texbaylea · Dec 28, 2005

Actually the last time a leap second was added was 7 years ago. Google "leap second" and read some of the references. There are forces causing acceleration in the earth's rotation that may produce negative leap seconds in the future. That is going to test a lot of time keeping systems.

Vernon