Why Do We Leap Day?

Leap Day, added nearly every four years on February 29, corrects a critical discrepancy between our calendar year and the Earth’s orbit around the sun. As astronomer Jackie Faherty explains, “it actually takes Earth 365.242190 days to orbit the sun… and that .242190 days to go around the sun is the entire reason why we have a leap year.” This adjustment ensures our calendar remains in sync with the Earth’s seasonal cycles, crucial for agriculture and other seasonal activities. The concept of adding an extra day or month to keep calendars aligned with celestial movements isn’t new and has been incorporated into various calendars throughout history, including the Hebrew, Chinese, and Buddhist calendars.

Despite the logistical and scheduling quirks Leap Day introduces, such as the unique challenge of celebrating “leapling” birthdays, it remains a vital part of our timekeeping system, reminding us of our ongoing quest to measure and understand time.

Source: NPR