[LEAPSECS] Fwd: IERS Message No. 282: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to retain "leap second"

[Kevin Birth]

Am I reading this correctly that studies will be conducted by the usual suspects in hopes that after all these years of their studying and discussing leap seconds a different result will be produced by 2023?

Cheers,

Kevin

From: LEAPSECS <leapsecs-bounces at leapsecond.com<mailto:leapsecs-bounces at leapsecond.com>> on behalf of Rob Seaman <seaman at noao.edu<mailto:seaman at noao.edu>>
Reply-To: Leap Second Discussion List <leapsecs at leapsecond.com<mailto:leapsecs at leapsecond.com>>
Date: Monday, November 23, 2015 at 12:58 PM
To: Leap Second Discussion List <leapsecs at leapsecond.com<mailto:leapsecs at leapsecond.com>>
Subject: [LEAPSECS] Fwd: IERS Message No. 282: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to retain "leap second"

FYI

Begin forwarded message:

From: central_bureau at iers.org<mailto:central_bureau at iers.org>
Date: November 23, 2015 at 9:50:38 AM MST
To: messages at iers.org<mailto:messages at iers.org>
Subject: IERS Message No. 282: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to retain "leap second"

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IERS Message No. 282                                   November 23, 2015
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Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to retain "leap second"


New reference time scale to be considered by World Radiocommunication
Conference in 2023

Geneva, 19 November 2015 - The ITU World Radiocommunication Conference
(WRC-15), currently in session in Geneva from 2 to 27 November, has
decided that further studies are required on the impact and application
of a future reference time-scale, including the modification of
coordinated universal time (UTC) and suppressing the so-called "leap
second".

Leap seconds are added periodically to adjust to irregularities in the
earth’s rotation in relation to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the
current reference for measuring time, in order to remain close to mean
solar time (UT1). A leap second was added most recently on 30 June 2015
at 23:59:60 UTC. The proposal to suppress the leap second would have
made continuous reference time-scale available for all modern electronic
navigation and computerized systems to operate while eliminating the
need for specialized ad hoc time systems.

The decision by WRC-15 calls for further studies regarding current and
potential future reference time-scales, including their impact and
applications. A report will be considered by the World
Radiocommunication Conference in 2023. Until then, UTC shall continue to
be applied as described in Recommendation ITU-R TF.460-6
[https://www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-TF.460-6-200202-I/en] and as maintained
by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).

WRC-15 also calls for reinforcing the links between ITU and the
International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). ITU would continue
to be responsible for the dissemination of time signals via
radiocommunication and BIPM for establishing and maintaining the second
of the International System of Units (SI) and its dissemination through
the reference time scale.

Studies will be coordinated by ITU along with international
organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the General Conference
on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the International Committee for Weights
and Measures (CIPM), the International Bureau of Weights and Measures
(BIPM), the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service
(IERS), the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), the
International Union of Radio Science (URSI), the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO), the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), and the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

"Modern society is increasingly dependent on accurate timekeeping," said
ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. "ITU is responsible for disseminating
time signals by both wired communications and by different
radiocommunication services, both space and terrestrial, which are
critical for all areas of human activity."

"The worldwide coordination of time signals is critical for the
functioning and reliability of systems that depend on time," said
Francois Rancy, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau. "ITU will
continue to work with international organizations, industry and user
groups towards providing coherent advice on current and potential future
reference time-scales."


Source: ITU Press Release,
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2015/53.aspx


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