Leap Seconds to Be Scrapped by 2035

The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) experts and representatives decided to scrap the leap seconds by 2035.

The leap seconds added to clocks for more than 50 years to make up for the difference between the exact atomic time and the Earth's rotation.

Although majority of the people do not care for those seconds, the leap seconds can cause problems for various systems that need an exact flow of time, such as satellite navigation, software, telecommunication, trade, and even space travel.

The issue of leap seconds caused a headache for the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) as it is responsible for coordinated universal time (UTC).

The resolution to stop adding leap seconds by 2035 was passed by BIPM at the 27th General Conference on Weights and Measures.

The head of BIPM’s time department Dr. Patrizia Tavella described the resolution as a “historic decision. It also would allow “a continuous flow of seconds without the discontinuities currently caused by irregular leap seconds”.

She asserted: “The change will be effective by or before 2035,” adding: “The connection between UTC and the rotation of the Earth is not lost, UTC remains related to Earth,” 

“Nothing will change” for the public, the official revealed.