Plank
31-12-2008, 06:08 PM
dont forget to put ur clocks forward a second at midnight.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7797818.stm#
But recently, clocks have become so accurate that it has emerged that the Earth's rotation can take slightly longer or shorter than 24 hours.
That's why the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) occasionally adds a "leap second" to the world's timescale to keep internationally defined time and the Earth's rhythms in synch.
As a result, thousands of organisations across the world will be adjusting their clocks from midnight.
Pip pip hooray
Here at the BBC, engineers have pre-programmed an extra "pip" into their atomic clocks, meaning they won't have to be at Broadcasting House when the New Year arrives.
There have been 23 leap seconds introduced since 1972. On each occasion, BBC engineers have had to add an extra pip at the stroke of midnight.
..
New Year's Eve is proving particularly tricky for the engineers that look after Westminster Palace's famous clock and bell, Big Ben, because they are having to introduce an extra second just before midnight.
It is especially important that Big Ben chimes on time because as well as bringing in the new year across the Nation, it will be heralding its 150th anniversary.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7797818.stm#
But recently, clocks have become so accurate that it has emerged that the Earth's rotation can take slightly longer or shorter than 24 hours.
That's why the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) occasionally adds a "leap second" to the world's timescale to keep internationally defined time and the Earth's rhythms in synch.
As a result, thousands of organisations across the world will be adjusting their clocks from midnight.
Pip pip hooray
Here at the BBC, engineers have pre-programmed an extra "pip" into their atomic clocks, meaning they won't have to be at Broadcasting House when the New Year arrives.
There have been 23 leap seconds introduced since 1972. On each occasion, BBC engineers have had to add an extra pip at the stroke of midnight.
..
New Year's Eve is proving particularly tricky for the engineers that look after Westminster Palace's famous clock and bell, Big Ben, because they are having to introduce an extra second just before midnight.
It is especially important that Big Ben chimes on time because as well as bringing in the new year across the Nation, it will be heralding its 150th anniversary.