A&A 369, L26-L28 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20010272

Is the Atomic Second too short?

Ci-yuan Liu

Shaanxi Observatory and National Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lintong 710600, China

(Received 8 January 2001 / Accepted 21 February 2001)

Abstract
The definition of the length of the Atomic Second is based on measurements of the Earth's rotation made during the past 300 years. It has become too short because of the long-term deceleration of the Earth's rotation, making it necessary to add more and more leap seconds to UTC. By defining a longer Atomic Second and enlarging the limit of UTC from UT1, we would not need any leap second in the next dozens of years.

Key words: definition of second -- atomic time -- earth's rotation -- UTC

© ESO 2001