Re: CVS commit: src/sys/kern

["Perry E. Metzger" <perry%piermont.com@localhost>]

Garrett D'Amore <garrett_damore%tadpole.com@localhost> writes:
> As indicated, I chose to allow 61 on purpose, because I had believed
> that to be technically correct.  It is possible this is wrong.  I'm more
> than happy to change it if we are certain that there can never be more
> than one leap second.   (I wish I knew where I saw the reference to two
> leap seconds -- it was years ago.)
>
> My understanding is that if the rotation of the earth sped up quickly
> enough during a six month period, then the time keeping authorities have
> the option of adding up to 2 leap seconds to quickly correct it, and
> that the reason we've never seen it happen before is that observation
> has never indicated it was required.

They're actually allowed to insert leap seconds in March and
September, too. They've just never done it because it has never been
necessary and June/December are preferred.

> It would be good to get the opinion of a timekeeping expert (maybe David
> Mills) if we are serious about getting this _right_.

That is a really good suggestion. He would know precisely what the
rules are. Erik Fair, who's a NetBSD geek and a time geek, might also
know.

Perry