leap seconds

[Bob Devine]

> The phase 'my clock is 14 seconds  slow' has been used  recently  and is
> one off from the 15 leap  seconds  listed  above or the 17 leap  seconds
> which would have been added had Bob's statement been correct.

  After some phone calls to NBS and Naval Observatory, I found out
that there have been 14 leap seconds inserted.

 	 1) 1972 Jun 30 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 2) 1972 Dec 31 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 3) 1973 Dec 31 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 4) 1974 Dec 31 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 5) 1975 Dec 31 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 6) 1976 Dec 31 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 7) 1977 Dec 31 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 8) 1978 Dec 31 23:59:60  # NBS Special Publication #432
 	 9) 1979 Dec 31 23:59:60  # Naval Observatory
 	10) 1981 Jun 30 23:59:60  # Naval Observatory
 	11) 1982 Jun 30 23:59:60  # Naval Observatory
 	12) 1983 Jun 30 23:59:60  # Naval Observatory
 	13) 1985 Jun 30 23:59:60  # Naval Observatory
 	14) 1987 Dec 31 23:59:60  # Naval Observatory

  The earth has been slowing down so there won't be a yearly insertion
as there was in the 70s.  Next leap second is anticipated to be in
added in 1 1/2 or 2 years.
 
Bob

[ David Hoerl, could you send me mail directly?  I can't reply to
  you using the address I got -- ...!decwrl.dec!cookie.dec.com!devine ]