Need an Extra Second? Earth Experiences a Leap Second Tonight

Consider this little change tonight to be a big deal. Earth will be granted one extra second tonight as part of a "leap second."

Right before midnight, one extra second will be added. How this will work is that instead of going from 11:59:59 to 12:00:00, the clock will read 11:59:60 before then going to 12:00:00.

In an official press release, Daniel Macmillan of NASA explains that the extra second keeps earth aligned with the sun.

"Earth’s rotation is gradually slowing down a bit, so leap seconds are a way to account for that."

So if someone tonight asks you for an extra second, tell them they can get it at 11:59:60.