Later this month, delegations from around the world will head to a conference in Dubai to discuss international treaties involving radio frequencies, satellite coordination, and other technical issues. These discussions will include the problem of synchronizing clocks that rely on different methods of timekeeping.

For the past 50 years, there has been a balance between two ways of keeping time. One method is based on the rotation of the Earth, using the position of the sun and stars. The other method is based on atomic time, which provides a more precise and reliable frequency. However, these two times don’t always match up, so leap seconds have been inserted periodically to keep them synchronized.

The issue with leap seconds is that it’s difficult to predict when they will be needed, creating problems for technology companies and timekeepers. Judah Levine from the National Institute of Standards and Technology has proposed a new solution called the leap minute. This solution suggests syncing the clocks less frequently, perhaps every half-century, and allowing atomic time to diverge from astronomical time for 60 seconds or longer. This approach aims to reduce the inconvenience caused by leap seconds.

The introduction of atomic time in the 1970s created challenges because it diverged from astronomical time. Leap seconds were introduced to reconcile and synchronize the two clocks, but this led to differing methods used by big technology companies to handle leap seconds. The lack of uniformity in timekeeping methods has created a mess.

The leap minute proposal by Dr. Levine is gaining attention and support from timekeeping scientists. However, it may face resistance from those who want to maintain the connection to traditional astronomy. The International Bureau of Weights and Measures has expressed willingness to explore alternatives to the leap second, but consensus among all attending nations, including Russia, is required for any proposed change.

The upcoming World Radio Conference in Dubai will discuss the leap second, but there is uncertainty about whether a consensus will be reached. Dr. Levine hopes a decision can be made soon as he is tired of dealing with the leap second. The formal publication of the leap minute proposal may come after the conference.

Overall, the issue of leap seconds has created headaches for technology companies and timekeepers, and finding a solution that satisfies all parties has been challenging. The leap minute proposal offers a potential solution, but its acceptance and implementation will require the cooperation of international stakeholders.