Leap Second
A leap second is an additional second added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to keep our clocks in sync with Earth's rotation. While a day is usually divided into 86,400 seconds, Earth’s rotation varies slightly due to gravitational effects and other factors. Occasionally, this discrepancy requires the insertion of a leap second, typically at the end of June or December. This ensures that time, as measured by our clocks, stays aligned with the position of the Earth relative to the sun, keeping day and night consistent with our timekeeping systems.
Additional Insights
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A leap second is an additional second added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to keep our clocks in sync with Earth's rotation, which can be irregular. Since the Earth’s rotation is gradually slowing down, this adjustment compensates for the difference between atomic time (highly precise) and solar time (based on Earth’s position). Leap seconds are added either on June 30 or December 31, typically every few years, ensuring that our timekeeping remains accurate and reflects the natural day-night cycle. This helps prevent discrepancies between timekeeping systems and the actual position of the sun in the sky.