Science
Timekeepers meet to vote on scrapping the leap second by 2027
Al Jazeera reports that 69 BIPM member states are meeting near Paris to vote on scrapping the leap second by 2027.
The short version
- Member states of the BIPM are meeting in Versailles to vote on a resolution to scrap the leap second by 2027.[Al Jazeera]
- Leap seconds have been added since 1972 to keep clocks aligned with Earth's rotation, most recently in 2016.[Al Jazeera]
- The BIPM voted in 2022 to scrap the leap second by 2035, but Russia has sought a 2040 delay to update its GLONASS system.[Al Jazeera]
- Reporting describes the vote as still pending, so the outcome is not yet known.[Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- The BIPM's 69 member states are meeting in Versailles to debate and vote on a resolution to scrap the leap second by 2027.[Al Jazeera]
- The BIPM voted in 2022 to scrap the leap second by 2035.[Al Jazeera]
- Russia has sought to push the implementation date back to 2040 to update its GLONASS satellite-navigation system.[Al Jazeera]
- Leap seconds have been added since 1972, with 27 added so far and the most recent on December 31, 2016.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The outcome of the vote is not reported, and the source describes the meeting as pending.[Al Jazeera]
- Russia's concerns are described as a point of disagreement, but the source does not say whether they will affect the vote.[Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Clock ticking for leap second: Why timekeeping could change foreverAl Jazeera
- Scientists vote to end leap seconds, redefining how the world keeps timeScientific American metered
- How an accelerating Earth led experts to adopt the leap hourThe Guardian - Science
- The technical actions needed to ensure the continuity of UTCHacker News
- The Leap Second Is No MoreWired metered