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11:59:59...Just a Second!
December 31, 2008 1:27 PM
Be careful before you bid farewell to 2008...
World timekeepers are tacking on a "leap second" to the last day of the year, to help match official clocks with the slowing of the Earth's rotation. Due to factors like tides, extreme weather and other disruptions, the Earth rotation isn't consistent and is actually slowing down.
Historically, humans have measured time by the Earth's movement around the sun. The sun's position in the sky overhead tells you it's noon. But since the 1950's, atomic time, which is far more accurate and reliable, has been the standard. With a "leap second," scientists literally stop the atomic clocks for one second to reconcile the difference between these two standards.
It's not the first time scientists have used the "leap second." The last time was three years ago, but it's rare -- and to some controversial. Some scientists have proposed putting an end to the "leap second" because it can cause problems for computers and other electronic devices. Click here for more.
But for now, before we leap into 2009, we've got an extra second to enjoy...
December 31, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (4)
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That's science for ya.... Always changing. I know of someone who never changes and we can put our hope in....
Posted by: Joe V | Dec 31, 2008 2:23:48 PM
Is there any difference a second is going to make?
Just to make people hold up their breath and keeping eyes on the clock before it is declared 2009.
Posted by: Rita | Dec 31, 2008 3:02:31 PM
The Lord is never late.
Posted by: our only hope | Jan 1, 2009 7:55:11 AM
The January 31 abc Evening news ran a story on adding a second to the year to correct for slowing down of earth rotation, and showed curators of the "Big Ben" tower clock adjusting the timing of the clock by adding or emoving "pennies' from a shelf near the top of the pendulum, and stating that one "penny" changes the clock rate by 2/5 of a second.
I am trying to find that story. Can you help me with a reference to it, or provide a video of it. I am willing to pay any reasonable costs.
Thank you. The abc Evening News is MY nightly news.
Charles
Posted by: charles armentrout | Jan 1, 2009 12:09:02 PM
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