Re: F-ckin Leap Seconds, how do they work?

["Majdi S. Abbas" <msa () latt net>]

On Tue, Jul 03, 2012 at 11:33:22PM +0100, Tony Finch wrote:
> Keith Medcalf <kmedcalf () dessus com> wrote:
> > You are assuming facts not in evidence.  The rotation is merely
> > irregular within the capabilities of our scheme of measurement,
> > calculation, and observation.
>
> There is LOTS of evidence that the earth's rotation is irregular. VLBI,
> laser ranging of the moon, etc. This was known long before the atomic
> clock was invented, and it is why the definition of the second was changed
> from one based on earth rotation to one based on Newcomb's ephemerides,
> before the change to an atomic second.

        This.

        Shoot, seismic activity has a measurable effect.  The best we
can do is approximate it and align the timescales as needed.  There's
no lack of understanding here, just a changing planet.

        Now, changing your kernel's leap second handler and not
testing it, well, you can't blame that one on the ITU or the 
aforementioned planet.

        --msa