Leap Second to be Added to Clock

Saturday night will be just a little longer than usual, as a "leap second" will be added to the clock. That adjustment comes around every once in a while to keep our clocks on track with the sun.
A leap second has been scheduled for June 30, 2012. A leap second is an adjustment to the atomic clock-based Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to bring it more closely in line with Universal Time (UT), which is based on the rotation of the earth. The two time standards do not agree because the earth’s rotation is ever so gradually and unpredictably slowing down.

I don't know about you, but "unpredictably slowing down" doesn't sound all that reassuring. But no far, I don't see any scientists and chronologists panicking. Link

(Image credit: Flickr user Alan Cleaver)

Comments (4)

Newest 4
Newest 4 Comments

Are you sure the Earths slow deceleration is unpredictable? I thought it has been calculated. The Moon's gravity slows Earths rotation by about 2 m/s every 100 years.
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It is unpredictable as it can also be affected by remodeling in the Earth's crust that alters the planet's mass distribution. These change the planet's rotational inertia which can speed up or slow down rotation slightly.
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Apparently there's some law where goth nerds aren't allowed to wear these and light-up versions as actual googles, only as forehead ornaments.
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According to the WSJ, many Wall Street executives are buying remote farms and tons of ammo. They expect economic collapse followed by social anarchy. So, indeed, these goggles may be useful for those of us who besiege the Toxic Capitalists.
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@felixthecat

Sigh. These executives are so short sighted... they should be investing in pigeons and learning how to make their own ammo. It's a more viable long term investment for after the fall.
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yeah, theyre basically goth fashion acessories, tend to be worn like a headband rather than actually on the eyes, girls wear them alot when they wear hairpieces to cover up the natural hair that may still be showing around their forehead.
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