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deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Lobsters·19d ago·5 min read
Earth Rotation Records Spur October Vote to Avert Negative Leap Second
TL;DR
Earth's rotation has been speeding up, leading to a potential negative leap second by 2027. In response, timekeeping authorities are considering replacing the leap second with a leap hour.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should prepare for potential changes in timekeeping protocols that could affect software reliant on precise timing.
Key Takeaways
- Review time synchronization methods used in your systems.
- Prepare for potential timestamp issues with distributed databases.
- Stay informed about the outcomes of the CGPM vote.
- Implement testing for leap second scenarios in your software.
How It Works
UTC is based on atomic clocks, while UT1 tracks Earth's rotation, which is influenced by various geophysical factors. The leap second system was introduced to keep these two time standards aligned, but the recent acceleration in Earth's rotation could lead to unprecedented negative leap seconds.