astronomical time
what’s a second here or there? Its the difference between counting time based on an absolute benchmark of
-
planetary movement, astronomical time.
-
Caesium atom movement, oscilations.
Astronomical time is based on the earth’s rotation. But the earths rotation is noticably slowing-down. Clocks are sometimes adjusted by seconds at the turn of the year to account for the difference. According to the London Times online boffins at an international level are not happy about this fiddling. Apparantly this fiddling
“irritates some scientists who say that leap seconds create confusion and can cause software crashesâ€
As far as I can tell this involved the choice of either
stick with astronomical time and maintain
- the risk of breaking software.
- irritated scientists.
- time being slightly imprecise.
- debates about how and when to adjust for the slowing of the earths rotation.
- the relationship between time and experiential cycles such as night/day, seasons, noon being the point when the sun is highest in the sky etc.
or switch to Caesium atom oscilations and avoid items 1 though 6 listed above.
Apart from a second at midnight tonight have I missed any part of the argument?
