Dec 28 2008
What will you do with an extra second?
You’re going to have to wait a little longer than usual to ring in the new year this week. Because of the gradual slowing down of the earth’s rotation - which is irregular to begin with - it doesn’t quite line up with our atomic clocks. As a result there will be a “leap second” inserted between 2008 and 2009. Another way to put it is that time will stand still for a second. Leap seconds have been used since 1972 but this is the first time in three years it’s been done.
This leap second actually happens in Greenwich first. By the time midnight comes to North America the extra second will already be inserted into our timescale, so Times Square won’t celebrate too early. I know you were all worried about that. As for me, I am thinking about what I will do with the extra time. Let me know what you will do. I am leaning towards a one-second power nap so I can party long after midnight.
Hmm..I think I’ll catch up on my bills with that extra second.