backtop

Science 61-Second Minute Takes World into 2009
Kristy Erdodi - December 31, 2008 2:33 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 66 comment(s) - last by Dreifort.. on Jan 6 at 12:10 PM
A leap second will be added to clocks worldwide just before 2009 begins.

Not ready to let go of 2008? Tonight official timekeepers will give you one more second to hold onto, just before midnight.

 

Immediately before 2009 officially arrives, timekeepers will be adding a leap second – the first for three years – to atomic clocks worldwide.

 

According to Peter Whibley, a senior research scientist at Britain’s National Physical Laboratory, digital clocks with the ability to pick up definite leap second information will countdown to the new year as “57, 58, 59, 60, 00,” with “60” representing the leap second.

 

Whirbley explained why the earth’s erratic rotation has resulted in this need for an additional second: “The difference between atomic time and Earth time has now built up to the point where it needs to be corrected, so this New Year’s Eve we will experience a rare 61-second minute at the very end of 2008 and revelers…will have an extra second to celebrate.”

 

Determining time based off of the sun’s movement across the sky is not only a concept from the past, as astronomers still use the approach; inevitably, it has been modernized, but the sun currently stands as a tracking source for both stars and spacecrafts.


In general, the Earth is not completely reliable on keeping time. Disruptions to its core, extreme weather, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes, along with its inconstant speed and ability to wobble, can all act as factors in affecting the length of one day. As a result, in order to align atomic time with astronomical time, leap seconds must be added every so often. This extra time helps in keeping the sun overhead at noon.    

Comments     Threshold


This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
Slowing rotation
By AnnihilatorX on 12/31/2008 3:18:55 PM , Rating: 2
The earth's rotation has been slowing at a slow rate due to tidal friction more than anything else. Currently leap second is required about every 500 days. At the end of the 21st century a leap second will be required every 250 days.




RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/08, Rating: -1
RE: Slowing rotation
By GaryJohnson on 12/31/2008 3:33:24 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
If this is true (which to be honest I really know nothing of the matter), then it would be theoretically possible say xxxxxxxxxxx millenniums from now, time would be infinite?

Time isn't slowing down, the earth is just spinning more slowly.


RE: Slowing rotation
By DM0407 on 12/31/08, Rating: -1
RE: Slowing rotation
By blearg on 12/31/2008 5:46:23 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
Then your dead


"you're" dumbass.


RE: Slowing rotation
By DM0407 on 12/31/08, Rating: -1
RE: Slowing rotation
By PhreakyMike on 1/3/2009 2:13:00 PM , Rating: 2
lolz i gots my BA online!


RE: Slowing rotation
By Dreifort on 1/6/2009 12:10:16 PM , Rating: 2
no...its "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."


RE: Slowing rotation
By Gzus666 on 12/31/2008 4:01:06 PM , Rating: 4
This is truly an amazing representation of what the general populace actually knows about physics, ha. Yes, time is completely based on the planet Earth and eventually it will just stop spinning and revolving, thereby ceasing time.

Amazing, just amazing.


RE: Slowing rotation
By DM0407 on 12/31/2008 4:03:49 PM , Rating: 5
That's the least of our concerns... By that time tectonic plate movement will cause N. America to fall off of the side of the earth!


RE: Slowing rotation
By Gzus666 on 12/31/2008 4:05:03 PM , Rating: 3
NOT IF WE PRAY HARD ENOUGH!


RE: Slowing rotation
By 9nails on 12/31/2008 9:43:21 PM , Rating: 2
N. America? Not without a fitness program first! That continent is filled with fatties whom will keep it glued to the planet in this event.


RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/08, Rating: -1
RE: Slowing rotation
By 9nails on 12/31/2008 11:29:32 PM , Rating: 1
I was referring to the comment above, which said "...tectonic plate movement will cause N. America to fall off of the side of the earth!"

It's no surprise average US Citizens are heavier than ever before. (see: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/healthcare/a/tallbut... ) With our time of great populace, it's my joking opinion that our fat asses will hold is to the Earth in the event that our tectonic plates become unstable!

What does any of this have to do with time? Well if you look at our Galaxy, it's a spinning flat system. Something like a spoked wheel on a bicycle. Some of the solar systems are above the center horizontal plane and others are below. These systems are not fixed, and travel through this plane in regular cycles. In 2012 we're predicted to travel through this plane and with the rotational tilt of the Earth the gravitational forces are supposed to be at their highest. Time, gravity, and weight - I've made a lose relationship.


RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/2008 11:55:01 PM , Rating: 2
Ah, I am sorry then. When I originaly read that comment, I saw it as a total blast in the face. My bad.

Happy New Year people!


RE: Slowing rotation
By MrPoletski on 1/1/2009 7:13:45 AM , Rating: 2
If you get fat enough you will collapse into a black hole, slowly though. It starts in the stomach and envelops you entirely. Black holes have very significant affects on time and sapce;P

In other news:
Tonight young man on acid decides that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.....

Here's Tom with the weather!

(W.M. Hicks)


RE: Slowing rotation
By cheetah2k on 1/4/2009 9:29:38 PM , Rating: 2
So that would explain the "wobble"?


RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/2008 4:13:47 PM , Rating: 4
Yeah well, physics is'nt really my thing. Barely passed both physics 1 and 2 for my degree. Give me C++ code or something of that nature and I can tear it a new one but Physics, uh-uh, not for me haha.

See though, at least I admitted I knew nothing really about the subject matter. Which is why I asked the question, even if it was stupid. To get schooled.


RE: Slowing rotation
By Gzus666 on 12/31/08, Rating: 0
RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/2008 4:22:23 PM , Rating: 4
Haha, it would be (and kind of has proven to be that way and a few projects)! Yeah it really is an area I need to improve in though...


RE: Slowing rotation
By Spivonious on 12/31/2008 5:24:24 PM , Rating: 2
Perhaps he meant to say days would be infinite instead of time being infinite. And since our clocks are tied into the Earth's day, then it could be argued that time would be infinite. If the sun is always directly overhead, then it's always 12:00PM, therefore time has stopped.

Try to have an open mind instead of just attacking everyone you disagree with.


RE: Slowing rotation
By Gzus666 on 12/31/2008 5:42:57 PM , Rating: 2
A day is merely a representation of time based off our movement around the sun. The day would still be the same length, it's not like clocks would stop and time would stand still. We would merely lose our general reference for our day, the time would continue on as normal. We could then choose any measurement of a day we would like, but the time would still be the same, not infinite.

Technically the only accepted measurement of time is the second, so days have no bearing other than to help us sparse out the seconds easier between our perceived night/day which changes of course depending on your location.

Also, if he meant that, he would have said it in his numerous responses.


RE: Slowing rotation
By DM0407 on 12/31/2008 6:02:03 PM , Rating: 1
I think its about "time" this conversation stops.

With word play like that, who needs good looks?


RE: Slowing rotation
By Myg on 1/1/2009 3:57:47 AM , Rating: 1
I agree, but its hard to stop people from ticking over; too much time on their hands...


RE: Slowing rotation
By theknowmad on 12/31/2008 7:06:11 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, a day represents one full rotation of the Earth on it's axis. One rotation of the Earth around The Sun is represented by a year.


RE: Slowing rotation
By jpgoldberg on 12/31/2008 8:55:34 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Actually, a day represents one full rotation of the Earth on [its] axis.


Just to be more pedantic, one full rotation of the Earth about its axis is a sidereal day (which is shorter than 24 hours). But a normal day of high noon to high noon requires a few degrees additional rotation because the Earth will have moved in its orbit around the Sun and so needs to turn a little bit more so that the same point on the Earth is facing the sun (which has slightly changed its apparent position with respect to the fixed stars).


RE: Slowing rotation
By 9nails on 12/31/2008 9:49:39 PM , Rating: 2
None of it will matter after December 21st, 2012 - when the Maya calendar predicts the completion of our 26,000 year circle of our galaxy. And when we eclipse the center of our Milky Way, we'll face the predicted Apocalypse. Good times ahead!


RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/2008 10:01:50 PM , Rating: 2
Heh, I am all for chaos. Just like the late George Carlin, chaos is the best thing to happen to us...quite amusing.


RE: Slowing rotation
By sld on 1/1/2009 1:31:32 AM , Rating: 2
To add, a sidereal day is about 4 mins shorter than a solar day.


RE: Slowing rotation
By sld on 1/1/2009 1:30:35 AM , Rating: 2
Sorry to be pedantic too, but in typical astronomical terminology, the Earth revolves around the sun. Just as well the use of a different term from "rotation" does help minimise the confusion between axial spinning and moving in circles (ellipses, to be pedantic).


RE: Slowing rotation
By foolsgambit11 on 1/1/2009 5:38:09 PM , Rating: 2
And to be even more pedantic, astronomers actually say that both the Earth and Sun rotate around a point that is the center of mass of their combined system (which happens to be located within the Sun). Until you figure in all the other planets, and then add in all the other mass in the universe....

And from a more relativistic perspective, you can go with any point of view you want - but the equations are way easier with a heliocentric model.


RE: Slowing rotation
By jtemplin on 12/31/2008 8:37:29 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
Also, if he meant that, he would have said it in his numerous responses.

...
quote:
But to re confirm what I originally thought is that time wouldn't stop per Se but because of all the planetary rotations based on time getting closer and closer to zero

Well, Spiv was right. You assumed he was a complete idiot to demonstrate your point about how dumb the general populace is. I say you came out looking like the idiot when you try to insult him and he takes it as constructive criticism. He just let it roll off his back. A true gentle(person).

Jerk:
quote:
Let us hope you aren't tasked with making any time based applications, cause that would clearly be a disaster.


Nice guy:
quote:
Yeah it really is an area I need to improve in


Hint: The jerk is you.

Sage advice
quote:
Try to have an open mind instead of just attacking everyone you disagree with.


RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/2008 9:45:35 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, please forgive me if i said anything bad because it is the 31st of Dec. I am/was a little drunk when I write all of this/that(which I know by now is NO excuse in the scientific community)...I just know this is definitely one of those areas I need huge improvemtns on. No one is perfect...

And yes, I agree with Spiv. I may of not said it in the right terms but I was trying to re-affirm what he said about me and my post.

Im sorry if I tried to make him like the idiot. I know in the end, I was the idiot because of my lack of knowledge...


RE: Slowing rotation
By MrPoletski on 1/1/2009 7:23:33 AM , Rating: 2
the only thing that might happen as the worlds spinning slows down is that the rest of the universe might slow down with us, at least from our perspective. Relativity and all that.


RE: Slowing rotation
By sld on 1/1/2009 1:35:52 AM , Rating: 2
The problem is, an open mind would question and read up about the mechanics behind the Earth's slowing down due to tidal friction.

The earth would only eventually slow down to the point that a sidereal day becomes equal to the moon's revolution about it. At the current progress of time, that will only happen past the point of the hypothetical universe "heat death".

Pluto and Charon are a good example of this tidal locking phenomenon.


RE: Slowing rotation
By timmiser on 1/1/2009 5:45:59 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, if the earth stopped spinning, the sun would still move accross the sky... Just a lot slower.

If the sun is always directly overhead, the earth is still spinning. (Just slower)


RE: Slowing rotation
By Snowy on 1/1/2009 12:10:52 PM , Rating: 2
But there is other ways to measure time, such as light years. Light years is also distance, but it's like saying "60 miles an hour". While time is based on the earth's rotation, it will not stop, as we have already have calculated exactly how far light will travel in a year. So as long as we have the second, there will be no such thing as stopping time.


RE: Slowing rotation
By ineedaname on 1/2/2009 1:17:31 PM , Rating: 2
You're wrong if that ever happened superman will fly around the earth fast enough so that it will keep its rotation.


RE: Slowing rotation
By DASQ on 1/5/2009 2:32:26 PM , Rating: 2
That's why many shooting ranges are nationally balanced by direction so the overall affect on Earths rotation is not affected by the massive recoil of Desert Eagles and sawed-off shotguns. Serious facts.


RE: Slowing rotation
By MadMan007 on 12/31/2008 6:24:22 PM , Rating: 2
Time wouldn't stop, that's just silly, but measuring it by the movement of the sun across the sky would have to stop because the sun would no longer move ;) It would be an interesting world in fact, with a permanent dark and light side.


RE: Slowing rotation
By Crysalis99 on 12/31/2008 7:27:30 PM , Rating: 2
Brain...overloaded...will...explode...haha

But yeah, I have been gathering that there are a few ways of looking at this. I realize nothing will happen in our generation(s) or any in the next few thousand but this is interesting to say the least.

But to re confirm what I originally thought (I know kind of bad wording on my part to begin with) is that time wouldn't stop per Se but because of all the planetary rotations based on time getting closer and closer to zero (meaning things would stop rotating) time would stop based on those rotations.


Time...
By RamsayGetLost on 12/31/2008 2:37:10 PM , Rating: 2
I've always considered time to be the greatest invention of all time.




RE: Time...
By hellokeith on 12/31/08, Rating: -1
RE: Time...
By Alkapwn on 12/31/2008 2:47:51 PM , Rating: 3
Actually, I believe Einstien would be taking credit for that.


RE: Time...
By Smilin on 12/31/2008 3:07:15 PM , Rating: 5
Here..this is a big megaphone. Go stand over there in front of the whole intarwebs and shout that you're dumb.

GPS satellites must compensate for time dialation as predicted by Einstein. Such facts confirm his theories not dispute them.


RE: Time...
By threepac3 on 12/31/2008 3:15:03 PM , Rating: 5
SO you mean you produce time dilation without a Flux Capacitor?


RE: Time...
By StevoLincolnite on 12/31/2008 11:51:28 PM , Rating: 2
Yep, I blame the Asgard!

Just worried they will collapse the sun into a black hole now...


RE: Time...
By Crusty on 12/31/2008 4:00:17 PM , Rating: 2
All I have to say is 'LOL'.


RE: Time...
By Sazabi19 on 12/31/2008 4:34:30 PM , Rating: 2
WTF?!?!? These people are messing w/everything i know!! 61 second minutes? It's just not right! next thing you know ever 60 years..or they do this every 3 years so... every 180 yrs we will have a leap minute. Man science is pretty BA to extend our lives like that. 1 day every 4 yrs, then 1 minute ever 180 yrs. or would it be 183yrs to add on the extra second for the 61 second leap minute...? They will surprise us=). happy new year!


What about Mars?
By dj LiTh on 1/1/2009 12:13:39 AM , Rating: 5
What i think will be interesting is (if) once we colonize mars and its (i think?) 25 hour days, how we'll come up with a system to be on the same page as each other....

Ya i sent you my air check just a few hours ago...
... No you didnt <cuts off air supply to sector 4>

/insert gasping for air here




err?
By vdewd on 1/2/2009 12:41:57 AM , Rating: 2
So no comparative discussion on the ancient 260 day calendars and the gregorian calendar?




RE: err?
By vdewd on 1/2/2009 12:48:07 AM , Rating: 2
we could even attempt to rectify the tracking of time via the mayan galactic alignment predidtion. truly one of the few ancint calendars that can shed light on such cycles. And it doesnt take an astrophysicist to explore such ideas.

Wouldnt a bit more substance really be alot more interesting?


By Paxd on 1/1/2009 3:25:44 AM , Rating: 2
Implicit in the article, that the Earth's rotation and orbit are unreliable instruments for measuring time, is that what we call 'time', is strictly a human invention. Time, or our notion of it, does not exist independent from our minds, just as languages, money and any other abstract human invention. Just like the invention of money, time is a very convenient tool which we have created and refined over thousands of years. In essence we have divided the motion of the rotation of the Earth into 24 equal intervals we call hours, in English or Stunden in German. Why twenty-four and not 158, 7 or 10? It is a convention we inherited from the Egyptians who divided day-light and night hours into 12 hours each. Why two twelve-hour periods and not some other number? It is attributed to the fact that the Egyptians rather than just counting fingers (which would have given them units of ten if we include the thumb) they counted finger knuckles, not including those of the thumb. So, to answer some of the questions posed here: would 'time stop and we then live forever' once the Earth's motion ceases millennia from now? The answer is, of course, no--assuming that humans are still around. Time in a very real sense is something that does not exist, other than as a convention we share between us and in our minds. If we ceased to acknowledge it or decided collectively to ignore or change it, which we theoretically could, it would not change the fact that we are mortal and will eventually die of old age or some other malady. Thus, our notion and counting of time, as is implicit in the article, is independent from the motion of the Earth--that is why we have to keep adding seconds every couple of years.




Slow rotation
By rk11235 on 1/1/2009 5:55:52 AM , Rating: 2
My niece suggested that rather than having a leap second, everyone start running westward in order to speed up the earths rotation.




!!!!!!!!!!!!
By MrPoletski on 1/1/2009 9:27:27 AM , Rating: 2
0h n0ES!! Global STALLING... XO




The moon
By zsdersw on 1/2/2009 9:53:34 AM , Rating: 2
Another thing to keep in mind is that the moon is getting an inch further away from the Earth every year, meaning over time its ability to keep Earth's wobble in check will get weaker.

The moon plays a very significant part in keeping the Earth's climates predictable.




Clearly
By FITCamaro on 12/31/08, Rating: -1
RE: Clearly
By m1ldslide1 on 12/31/2008 3:49:12 PM , Rating: 5
Really? You see an article about a clock adjustment and all you can think of is a stupid partisan jab? Talk about irrational. You must be one of the most bitter guys in your A) trailer park or B) whites-only gated community.


RE: Clearly
By bigjaicher on 12/31/2008 4:26:43 PM , Rating: 2
It was a stupid statement, but honestly, it's just a joke. And if you're saying that the irrational thing is that he thinks that global warming isn't that big of a deal and that it must be because people who think that fill those two stereotypes, you are the one with your head buried in the sand because the argument that human caused global-warming is non-existent and that the climate-change may be beneficial is valid.

There are some intellectuals that feel this way, sans the crude sarcastic humor.

Instead of showing cute pictures of polar bears or graphs without titles/numbers with units or animations of cartoons to represent the greenhouse effect (like An Inconvenient Truth - yeah, I actually watched the movie, surprise, huh?), I'd prefer to read something with complete, non-recycled data, that don't support a relation between human caused greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures, but instead a solid link between them. I am competent enough to interpret data myself, instead of being told by scientists that wouldn't have a job if it wasn't for this issue.


RE: Clearly
By theknowmad on 12/31/2008 7:09:30 PM , Rating: 2
"If it weren't for this issue"


RE: Clearly
By FITCamaro on 12/31/2008 9:28:18 PM , Rating: 1
If you learn to laugh more, you might live longer. But given your comment, I'm not sure I want you to.

And I live in a multi-racial neighborhood. Not that I care either way. But no it isn't gated. Keep trying.


RE: Clearly
By HotFoot on 12/31/2008 3:51:28 PM , Rating: 2
FIT, so rarely do I agree with you... but you know, for once you bring up a good point.

All this talk of turning off the coal dependency and picking up tidal power generation just means the Earth's rotation will slow down at an even greater rate! ZOMG run for the hills!

*burries head in the sand*


RE: Clearly
By spinportal on 12/31/2008 4:30:11 PM , Rating: 2
So which will happen first? The slowing earth rotation will cause it to lose velocity thereby impeding centripetal force thus having the sun's gravity well suck us into a fried crispy orbit or will the sun go super-nova and splatter the earth with fusion crispies?


RE: Clearly
By DM0407 on 12/31/2008 6:04:37 PM , Rating: 2
... And that is why I don't have children.... That and a lack of vaginal intercourse.


RE: Clearly
By xLamorakx on 12/31/2008 8:17:08 PM , Rating: 3
Actually I think The Andromeda galaxy will crash into us before any of that. The Milky Way and Andromeda are on a collision course, speeding toward each other at something like 100 km/s. Give it about 3-4 billion years, and boom. Have a great new years!


RE: Clearly
By foolsgambit11 on 1/1/2009 5:46:16 PM , Rating: 2
Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving - revolving at 900 miles an hour.
And orbiting at 19 miles a second - so it's reckoned - a sun that is the source of all our power.
Now the sun and you and me, and all the stars that we can see, are moving at a million miles a day
In an outer-spiral arm at 90 thousand miles an hour of a galaxy we call the Milky Way.
<skipping along to the end...>
So remember when you're feeling very small and insecure, how amazingly unlikely is your birth
And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space, 'cause there's bugger all down here on Earth.


"If you can find a PS3 anywhere in North America that's been on shelves for more than five minutes, I'll give you 1,200 bucks for it." -- SCEA President Jack Tretton









botimage
Copyright 2009 DailyTech LLC. - RSS Feed | Advertise | About Us | Ethics | FAQ | Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information | Kristopher Kubicki