What is Leap second?
A leap second is a one-second adjustment that is occasionally applied to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in order to keep its time of day close to the mean solar time.
leap second 2016
Leap seconds may be positive (1 second added to the schedule) or negative (1 second omitted) at least in theory: so far, all leap seconds were positive.
Leap seconds are irregularly spaced because the Earth ‘s rotation speed changes irregularly. Indeed, the Earth’s rotation is quite unpredictable in the long term, which explains why leap seconds are announced only six months in advance.
Leap seconds: conflict continues…….
The scientific community has so far failed to reach an agreement on this topic.
2003
In Italy a meeting on “ITU-R SRG 7A Colloquium on the UTC timescale” the agenda proposed that the time may decoupled from the Earth’s rotation and leap seconds be abolished.
2005
The USA scientists proposed to eliminate leap seconds and replace them with leap hours. The proposal was criticized for its lack of consistent public information and adequate justification.
2012
In Switzerland, delegates of the World radio communication assembly, decided once more to postpone the decision to abolish leap seconds and scheduled a new vote in the year of 2015.
2015
Decision was again deferred to 2023.
|
Year |
1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1981 |
| June 30 |
+1 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
+1 |
| Dec 31 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +1 |
0 |
|
Year |
1982 |
1983 | 1985 | 1987 | 1989 | 1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 |
| June 30 |
+1 |
+1 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | +1 |
+1 |
| Dec 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
|
Year |
1995 | 1997 | 1998 | 2005 | 2008 | 2012 | 2015 | 2016 |
Next |
|
June 30 |
0 | +1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | +1 |
0 |
? |
|
Dec 31 |
+1 | 0 | +1 | +1 | +1 | 0 | 0 |
+1 |
Do Leap Seconds had any Pros or Cons
The computers and other electronic gadgets may get interfered because those are coordinated with UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Leap seconds may be addressed for safety-critical real time systems (e.g. air-traffic control concepts entirely based on satellite navigation).
It has no significant in most people’s daily lives. Because, so far no serious problems caused by leap seconds.
