2016 is gaining an extra second

Updated
2016 Is Gaining One Second
2016 Is Gaining One Second

Never have enough time? Think again. 2016 will drag on just a little bit longer.

International timekeepers are adding a leap second at the year's end. How do they do this?

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Well, Earth is slowing down. Timekeepers have to add in another second or two to match the rotation of the Earth.

According to the U.S. Naval Observatory's Geoff Chester, he says "the tides' interaction with the moon and the other factors, including warmer, and denser waters from El Nino, cause Earth to take longer to go full circle each day."

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Because leap seconds can create problems with computer systems that weren't designed to account for them, some are calling for leap seconds to be abolished -- but that probably won't happen anytime soon.

Therefore, on December 31, at 11:59pm and 59 seconds, the next second will become 11:59:60 so we will have an extra second to enjoy the 2016 year.

The last leap second occurred on July 1, 2015. Did you take advantage of it? If not, now is your chance.

Find that special someone at midnight and kiss just a little bit longer to ring in the New Year.

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