World time authorities are now gathering to abolish the leap second
International measurement experts are gathering near Paris to abolish the leap second practice, which burdens financial markets and data centers, and to update time standards.
The world's leading time measurement experts are gathering near Paris for a historic decision that could disconnect global clocks from Earth's slowing rotation and completely eliminate the leap second practice.
Leap Second Practice and Earth's Rotation
Since 1972, leap seconds have been periodically added to bridge the gap between clocks and nature's cycle because Earth's rotation around its axis is slowing and showing irregularities. The last addition within this scope was carried out in 2016.
Technological Infrastructures and Problems Encountered
Financial markets and data centers requiring millisecond-level precision face serious difficulties during the process of adding leap seconds. Major platforms such as LinkedIn, Reddit, and Qantas have experienced technical disruptions and crashes in the past due to these additions.
New Proposals Discussed at the International Bureau
The 69 member states of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures are gathering in the city of Versailles to discuss and vote on a draft bill aimed at abolishing the leap second by 2027.
Future-Oriented Time Standards
Critical topics on the table at the meeting include measuring the second with optical frequencies, repealing the leap second, and achieving alignment with the new time standard developed by NASA for the Moon.