[LEAPSECS] Cost: getting rid of GMT & discontinuing leap seconds

[Rob Seaman]

On Oct 24, 2010, at 6:30 PM, Warner Losh wrote:


> And what are these other time scales available today?


I suppose it depends on what "time scale" means.  Start with all the zone times, of course.  Then all the scientific time scales, TT, etc.  Engineering time scales - if one is pedantic, anything with its own clock defines a time scale - or anything containing an oscillator of any sort, for that matter.


>> I personally find it weird that the keepers of the atomic clocks apparently want to (also) kill off TAI (International Atomic Time).

> 

> Interesting, but not relevant.


The motivation of those pursuing the redefinition of UTC is relevant.


> UTC is the only game in town, for all practical purposes.


We likely have different definitions of "practical", and different ideas of the scope of the word "all".


> It is the only one broadcast world wide in real time,


Well, yes - for those who dismiss GPS as an option.  Also, let's not completely ignore the original notion of UTC to convey realizations of both UT1 and TAI.  It doesn't seem a step forward to throw out two of the three.

The Earth itself is the most robust timekeeper (if not most regular).


> it is the only one that will stand up in court.


A contract specifying a different time scale should be enforceable in most jurisdictions.


> Leap seconds make UTC a non-uniform-radix time notation, which is pretty weird.


Our wobbling home does that.  Leap seconds are a means to an end.  By all means lets consider others.

Define the problem, solve the problem - not the other way round.

Rob