What Significant Event Occurred on June 30, 1975?

Discover why a leap second was added to Coordinated Universal Time on June 30, 1975, and how it impacts timekeeping.

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On June 30, 1975, a leap second was added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This was done to keep atomic time (provided by atomic clocks) in sync with Earth's irregular rotation. Leap seconds ensure that the discrepancy between atomic time and solar time doesn't exceed 0.9 seconds.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is a leap second? A leap second is an additional second added to Coordinated Universal Time to account for discrepancies between atomic time and solar time.
  2. Why was the leap second added on June 30, 1975? It was added to keep atomic time in sync with Earth’s irregular rotation, ensuring accuracy in timekeeping.
  3. How often do leap seconds occur? Leap seconds are added irregularly, sometimes several years apart, depending on variations in Earth's rotation.
  4. What impacts do leap seconds have? Leap seconds can affect systems that rely on precise timekeeping, such as GPS and telecommunications.

Watch More

For more insights into timekeeping and its historical changes, check out our videos on the history of atomic clocks and the evolution of time zones.

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