Scientists Delay 2006 by One Second

Thradia · 25th December 2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Get ready for a minute with 61 seconds. Scientists are delaying the start of 2006 by the first "leap second" in seven years, a timing tweak meant to make up for changes in the Earth's rotation.

The adjustment will be carried out by sticking an extra second into atomic clocks worldwide at the stroke of midnight Coordinated Universal Time, the widely adopted international standard, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology said this week.

"Enjoy New Year's Eve a second longer," the institute said in an explanatory notice. "You can toot your horn an extra second this year."

Coordinated Universal Time coincides with winter time in London. On the U.S. East Coast, the extra second occurs just before 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Atomic clocks at that moment will read 23:59:60 before rolling over to all zeros.

A leap second is added to keep uniform timekeeping within 0.9 second of the Earth's rotational time, which can speed up or slow down because of many factors, including ocean tides. The first leap second was added on June 30, 1972, according to NIST, an arm of the U.S. Commerce Department.

High-speed communications systems among other modern technologies require precise time measurements.

Since 1999 until recently, the two time standards have been in close enough synch to escape any need to add a leap second, NIST said.

Although it is possible to have a negative leap second -- that is, a second deducted from Coordinated Universal Time -- so far all have been add-ons, reflecting the Earth's general slowing trend due to tidal breaking.

Deciding when to introduce a leap second is the responsibility of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service, a standards-setting body. Under an international pact, the preference for leap seconds is December 31 or June 30.

**Ezekiel** · 25th December 2005, 10:09 PM

Well, if I had my druthers itd go on June 30th. Who wants an extra second of winter, unless youre in a different hempishpere of course

*smiles*

Imagine the countdown this year:

"5....4....3....2....1....1....Happy New Year!

Gala · 26th December 2005, 06:48 AM

lol thats funky! hopefully be in london with freinds this year *giggle*

Thradia · 26th December 2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kettlewhistle78

"5....4....3....2....1....1....Happy New Year!

LOL

Epona · 26th December 2005, 08:16 AM

rofl @ Kettle

Mapper · 26th December 2005, 09:56 AM

Hmmmmm.....

**Queen Mum** · 26th December 2005, 01:05 PM

Does this mean we can sleep an extra second then?

Mapper · 26th December 2005, 03:05 PM

Dang, If we can im so happy.. Im always so tired in the mornings...

25th December 2005, 10:09 PM	#2
Ezekiel Wycorp--Dwarf Hunter Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Area 52 Posts: 2,504 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Scientists Delay 2006 by One Second Well, if I had my druthers itd go on June 30th. Who wants an extra second of winter, unless youre in a different hempishpere of course smiles Imagine the countdown this year: "5....4....3....2....1....1....Happy New Year! __________________

26th December 2005, 06:48 AM	#3
Gala I Poke Dots Join Date: Apr 2005 Shard: Sonoma Posts: 362 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Scientists Delay 2006 by One Second lol thats funky! hopefully be in london with freinds this year giggle __________________

26th December 2005, 08:16 AM	#5
Epona You Have Been Epownt! Join Date: Sep 2004 Shard: Catskills Posts: 687 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Scientists Delay 2006 by One Second rofl @ Kettle __________________

26th December 2005, 09:56 AM	#6
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 286 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Scientists Delay 2006 by One Second Hmmmmm..... __________________

26th December 2005, 01:05 PM	#7
Queen Mum Lead Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Shard: Sonoma Posts: 2,863 Blog Entries: 17 Thanks: 65 Thanked 172 Times in 58 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Re: Scientists Delay 2006 by One Second Does this mean we can sleep an extra second then?

26th December 2005, 03:05 PM	#8
Mapper Europa for the win! Join Date: Jul 2005 Shard: Europa Posts: 286 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Scientists Delay 2006 by One Second Dang, If we can im so happy.. Im always so tired in the mornings... __________________

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