Hi All,
Tomorrow, in Australia (and worldwide at different local times) we all get an extra second to live -- don't waste it.
The second leap-second of the decade will be added tomorrow just before 11am (EDST) -- or 00:00 UTC.
The addition of the odd leap-second now and then is necessary because of the very gradual slowing of the Earth's rotation. This slowing of the Earth's rotation is due to the approach of Planet X (Nibiru) (Sorry to the moderators -- just couldn't resist that one
).
But seriously, the cause of the slowing of the Earth's rotation is basically due to the ocean tides. The ocean tides are basically due to the gravitational attraction of our Moon.
The tides washing around the continents and in and out of bays and estuaries creates a gentle brake on the Earth's rotation very, very gradually slowing it down.
Because the total angular momentum of the Earth-Moon system must remain constant (the laws of physics aren't "guidelines" mate), the apparent loss of the Earth's rotational energy is transferred to the Moon -- increasing the Moon's orbital velocity which in turn causes it to slowly recede from Earth.
Unfortunately, a few silly sausages are saying that the second is to be added tonight before 12mn -- this is incorrect. The leap second will be inserted just before 00:00 UTC (Co-ordinated Univeral Time) (similar to the old GMT) or just before 11am EDST.
Ordinarily tomorrow it would go something like 10:59.57 -- 10:59.58 -- 10:59.59 -- 11:00.00.
Instead, it will go 10:59.57 -- 10:59.58 -- 10:59.59 --
10:59.60 -- 11:00.00.
Enjoy that extra second! Happy New Year and welcome to the 2009 IYA!
Best,
Les D
