Leap Year occurs because the Earth's revolution or orbit around the sun is actually 365 and 1/4 days so take 4/4 and you get an extra day every four years.
The Earth's day/night cycle is based on our rotation/spin on axis. The Earth's rotation is influenced not only by the pull of the moon (aka tides) but also due to the Earth becoming rounder as the glaciers melt (ocean water flow), tsunami's shifting ocean water, and even the angular momentum of air as the Earth's temperature rises.
Therefore we now have Leap Seconds! Why? GPS, Satellites, and Airplane movements or anything else that needs to be in sync globally needs that kind of accuracy or like a pebble in a pond the waves of effect can expand and make for some messy results.
But don't worry about the leap seconds - they are added not at specified intervals but only when needed by the folks who make sure the clocks and trains and your satellite tv shows all run on time! You probably blinked and didn't notice.
Happy Leap Day tomorrow folks!
K Novak
No comments:
Post a Comment