They are not added on a scheduled / regular basis, but are added when needed. There is a group of scientists who watch the Earth's rotation to determine when the Leap Second needs to be added. They send out a bulletin about 6 months in advance, indicating whether an additional second should be added to the end of June or December. When it is added, it is notated as 23:59:60.
The most recent Leap Second was at the end of December in 2008, and there will not be one this year.
For lots of additional detail, see: www.timeanddate.com/time/leapseconds.html
2 comments:
i learned something new today!
Maybe this is why I have been a little off the last couple years :)
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