[LEAPSECS] "China move could call time on GMT"

[Rob Seaman]

On Dec 31, 2011, at 6:56 AM, Poul-Henning Kamp wrote:


> In message <620E8C78-90E1-48EC-B0B8-94858453C974 at noao.edu>, Rob Seaman writes:

> 

>> A white paper on legal ramifications is available at:

>> 

>> 	http://futureofutc.org/preprints/04_AAS_11-662_Seago.pdf

> 

> Beware of astronomers playing lawyers...


By all means a formal legal opinion would seem a prerequisite to action on this issue by the ITU.


> And be even more aware of USAnians postulating about European law...


And indeed, the ramifications of timekeeping varies with the laws of diverse countries.  The burden of responsibility here is on those seeking to redefine a centuries-old international standard.

The proceedings for "Decoupling Civil Timekeeping from Earth Rotation" were published by the American Astronautical Society, not by an astronomical institution.  John Seago, the first author, is not an astronomer. A particularly valuable function of this paper is the carefully researched reference list of 89 citations that will inform future discussions.  It would be better if those discussions occurred before action is taken by the ITU, but if not they will certainly gain added urgency afterwards.

Rob Seaman
National Optical Astronomy Observatory