Re: [LEAPSECS] interoperability

From: Rob Seaman <seaman_at_NOAO.EDU>
Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2006 09:59:43 -0700

On Jan 9, 2006, at 1:01 AM, Clive D.W. Feather wrote:

> We go through such discontinuities twice a year in most years.

Only the uninteresting daylight saving jumps. UTC remains without
discontinuities above the level of a leap second. If UTC weren't
equivalent to what I call "civil time", the ITU wouldn't be making a
fuss to change it.

> Except that time zone shifting means you don't affect the UTC
> sequence.

Only because you would redefine UTC to be equivalent to TAI.

> The proposal is simply to have this jump abolished, so that the UTC
> meridian starts drifting around the earth.

Glad to see somebody admit that this is one of the issues in play.
Perhaps we might now bring the cartographic community inside the
firewall and clue them into what is being proposed? Note again that
the implications of this are not somehow to be embargoed for 600
years, but rather would apply immediately and at all times between.

Rob
Received on Mon Jan 09 2006 - 09:00:00 PST