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<DIV>Probably off-topic, but anyway:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>*************************************************************************<BR><BR>Dear
Project Manager or Scientist,<BR><BR> It is being proposed to change the
definition of Coordinated Universal<BR> Time (UTC) regarding the insertion
of leap-seconds, possibly even<BR> eliminating their use. Leap
seconds are introduced so as to keep UTC<BR> synchronized (within 0.9 s) to
the time scale determined from the<BR> Earth's rotation, however many
practical problems result from
their<BR> implementation.<BR><BR> Should no new leap seconds be
inserted, solar time will diverge from<BR> atomic time at the rate of about
2 seconds every 3 years, and after<BR> about a century |UT1-UTC| would
exceed 1 minute. Although no<BR> fundamental problems are
anticipated, it is very likely that Y2K-like<BR> problems may result in
software that assumes UT1=UTC, or |UT1-UTC|< some<BR> value, or whose
input/output records use a field size that can only<BR> accommodate
|UT1-UTC| values up to one second.<BR><BR> To gather information, an URSI
Commission J Working Group was formed,<BR> consisting of Don Backer, Wim.
N. Brouw, Barry Clark, Irwin Shapiro,<BR> Ir. E. Van Lil, and
myself.<BR><BR> We would like to ask you to consult with the members of
your institute<BR> who currently deal with UT1-UTC, and give us a
considered response to<BR> the following two questions:<BR><BR> A. If
the appropriate international bodies decide to eliminate the<BR> insertion
of new leap seconds, would you foresee any practical problems<BR> for your
institution/instrument/observations?<BR><BR> no
____<BR><BR> * yes ___<BR><BR> * possibly
____<BR><BR> (* please explain any known or possible
problems)<BR><BR> B. Would you be in favor of such a
proposal?<BR><BR> yes
____<BR><BR> no
____<BR><BR> indifferent
___<BR><BR> have better idea
___<BR><BR> (feel free to comment)<BR><BR> C. Is
there anyone else you would recommend we contact?<BR> (feel
free to forward this eamil directly)<BR><BR> I would appreciate your
assistance, and a response by January 15 to<BR> <A
href="mailto:dnm@orion.usno.navy.mil">dnm@orion.usno.navy.mil</A>.<BR><BR> [snip]<BR><BR> Sincerely,<BR><BR> Demetrios
Matsakis<BR> ________________________________________________________________________<BR> Dr.
Demetrios N.
Matsakis
Director, Time Service Department<BR> (202) 762-1587 DSN
762-1587 U. S. Naval
Observatory<BR> FAX (202)
762-1511
3450 Massachusetts Avenue NW<BR> <A
href="mailto:dnm@orion.usno.navy.mil">dnm@orion.usno.navy.mil</A>
Washington DC, USA
20392-5420<BR> ________________________________________________________________________<BR></DIV></BODY></HTML>