Leap seconds face judgment day as time lords prepare to vote

Proposal would let UTC drift an hour from Earth's rotation, sparing computer systems awkward adjustments for centuries

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It's about time: the General Conference on Weights and Measures looks set to end leap seconds in an effort to reach horological harmony.

The proposal would increase the permitted difference between UTC and UT1 from 0.9 seconds to one hour, avoiding leap-second adjustments for centuries.

Earth's rotation has also sped up in recent years, raising the possibility of a negative leap second – removing a second rather than adding one. That has never been done before.

Experts have estimated a 30 percent probability that global systems will need a negative leap second by 2035 to keep the two time measures in step. That could pose problems for computer systems designed to handle added seconds but not removed ones.

Setnam Shemar, principal scientist at the UK's National Physical Laboratory, said the proposal would avoid the risks associated with leap seconds for centuries.

"Previously, leap seconds were added to UTC to keep it within 0.9 seconds of UT1. From 20 May 2027, a difference of up to 1 hour will be allowed before intervention is needed, ensuring the continuity of UTC for several centuries or more.

Proposal would let UTC drift an hour from Earth's rotation, sparing computer systems awkward adjustments for centuries