IAU Resolution

From: Demetrios <dnm_at_orion.usno.navy.mil>
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 15:21:56 +0000 (UTC)

Below is the resolution passed by the International Astronomical Union
(IAU) at their general assembly last August, which was forwarded to me
by Derek McNally. To my knowledge, the IAU will not form a committee
until after the ITU meeting this October.

I will make all your comments available to all committees that are
organized, and also want to apologize for the advertizement that made
its way into this listserv service.

Demetrios Matsakis




B2 Coordinated Universal Time

The International Astronomical Union

Recognising

        1. that the definition of Coordinated Universal time (UTC)
relies on the astronomical observation of the UT1 time scale in order to
introduce leap seconds,

        2. that the unpredictability of leap seconds affects modern
communication and navigation systems,

        3. that astronomical observations provide an accurate estimate
of the secular deceleration of the Earth's rate of rotation,

Recommends

        1. that the IAU establish a Working Group reporting to Division
1 at the General Assembly in 2003 to consider the redefinition of UTC,

        2. that this study discuss whether there is a requirement for
leap seconds, the possibility of inserting leap seconds at pre-determined
intervals, and the tolerance limits for UT1-UTC, and

        3. that this study be undertaken in cooperation with the
appropriate groups of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI), the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU-R), the International Bureau for
Weights and Measures (BIPM), and relevant navigational agencies.
Received on Fri Sep 29 2000 - 08:22:03 PDT