Slowing Earth Requires Leap Second Added to 2008

The year 2008 will be a second longer than most years as a leap second will be added to 2008 just after 11:59 p.m. and 59 seconds on December 31, 2008. By international agreement, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service will add a leap second to 2008 to match the slowing rotation of the earth. The last leap second was added in 2005.