Amongst the notable events of 2008 lies the decision by Earth’s Timekeepers to add a Leap Second before 2009 begins. The last leap second was added on December 31st, 2005. This is done to account for minor inconsistencies in the Earth’s non uniform axis rotation speed with causes explained here.

The extra second will be added on December 31st, 2008 at 23:59:60, making this year exactly one second longer. Will this cause problems for the countdown to New Year?

It’s hardly Y2K, but surely exciting enough to be noteworthy. I look forward to delaying my “Happy New Year!” by one second.

Alex Kara