Abu Dhabi: Those who wish they had more time in the day are getting their wish albeit in minuscule fashion.
As part of a global-wide readjustment of clocks to counter a slowing fluctuation of the planet’s rotation, what is called a “leap second” will be added to UAE standard time on July 1 to compensate for the difference.
The Emirates Metrology Institute (EMI), a reference body in measurements in UAE, announced the addition on Monday.
The second will be added to UAE standard time just before 4am on July 1 when clocks will strike 03:59:60.
The move aims to conform with other timing centres around the world, which will also add a leap second at the same time (11:59:60pm UTC or coordinated universal time on June 30) to adjust for the slight differences in time between highly accurate atomic clocks and the rotation of the globe.
Dr Helal Al Kaabi, Executive Director of Emirates Metrology Institute, said, “EMI is closely monitoring all major metrological activities internationally, to ensure active participation of UAE in the development of metrology.”
The latest addition of one second is the 26th such second to be added since the practice began on January 1, 1972.
