2006-07-16 15:55:13 · 9 answers · asked by TrippingJudy 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It takes a somewhat longer leap to get through that particular year.
; )
2006-07-16 15:58:30 · answer #1 · answered by wheezer_april_4th_1966 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
A leap year (or intercalary year) is a year containing an extra day, week or month in order to keep the calendar year in sync with an astronomical or seasonal year. For example, February would have 29 days instead of just 28. Seasons and astronomical events do not repeat at an exact number of days, so a calendar which had the same number of days in each year would over time drift with respect to the event it was supposed to track. By occasionally inserting (or intercalating) an additional day or month into the year, the drift can be corrected. A year which is not a leap year is called a common year.
Leap years (which keep the calendar in sync with the year) should not be confused with leap seconds (which keep clock time in sync with the day).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_year
2006-07-16 15:58:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth takes on average 365.25 days to go aroudn the sun. Therefore every 4 years we add a day to the calendar to compensate.
A leap year (or intercalary year)
A year which is not a leap year is called a common year.
leap year
n.
A year in the Gregorian calendar having 366 days, with the extra day, February 29, intercalated to compensate for the quarter-day difference between an ordinary year and the astronomical year.
An intercalary year in a calendar.
leap year
n : in the Gregorian calendar: any year divisible by 4 except centenary years not divisible by 400 [syn: intercalary year, 366 days, bissextile year]
2006-07-16 19:55:16 · answer #3 · answered by The Ollster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the year is 365 and 1/4 days long and we 'leap' the 1/4 day except for ever 4 years where we add a day, thats why its called a 'leap' year
2006-07-16 15:59:02 · answer #4 · answered by The Zen Master 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the year that this day is added leaps in time every 4 years. therefore it has earned the name leap year. the fact that the day is added has nothing to do with the name.
2006-07-16 15:58:04 · answer #5 · answered by kiss_my_markass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a year which completely divided by 4 is called a leap year.
eg.2004/4=501 competely divisable, in a leap year there is increase in one day included in the february it got 29 days its own otherwise it had only 28 days
i think so
2006-07-16 19:30:29 · answer #6 · answered by corrona 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leap Forward one day
2006-07-16 17:48:01 · answer #7 · answered by Dr M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To leap over the extra day and get on with our lives.
2006-07-16 15:58:07 · answer #8 · answered by orion_1812@yahoo.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Leap" year is a common term not the actual term. The actual term is intercalary year.
Now for my question:
Why is this question in the ASTRONOMY section????
2006-07-16 17:11:09 · answer #9 · answered by Ashley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋