Howtosignalprocessing
- How do you calculate leap seconds?
- How long is a leap second?
- How many leap seconds since 1980?
- How often is a leap second?
How do you calculate leap seconds?
The average speed of Earth's rotation is measured by Universal Time (UT1). When the difference between UTC and UT1 is predicted to reach 0.9 seconds within 12 months, a leap second is added to UTC and clocks worldwide. In other words, our clocks are always kept within a second of the average length of a day.
How long is a leap second?
A leap second is a one-second adjustment that is occasionally applied to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), to accommodate the difference between precise time (International Atomic Time (TAI), as measured by atomic clocks) and imprecise observed solar time (UT1), which varies due to irregularities and long-term slowdown ...
How many leap seconds since 1980?
GPS time started on the 1st January, 1980, and was accurate to UTC at this point. Since then, there have been 18 leap seconds introduced, such that there is now an 18 second difference between GPS time and UTC time.
How often is a leap second?
Leap second events occur on either June 30th or December 31st and do not happen very often - about every two-three years. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) is responsible for notifying the public when a leap second will be inserted.
