Leap Day February 29 2008

Those of you who aren't hiding out in caves with no way of contacting the rest of the world are probably aware that 2008 is a leap year. One day is added to the end of February, resulting in five Fridays in the month of February. But really, you probably knew that.

A fact you may have been unaware of is that this year, the Gregorian and lunisolar calendars coincide. While the English and other Gregorian calendar users have an extra day at the end of February, many cultures have an extra month.

For example, the Hebrew calendar, still extensively used by religious Jews today, is currently in the middle of Adar Aleph, or Adar I. After a full thirty days, the next month is called Adar Bet, or Adar II. In years which are not leap years, there is only one Adar with 29 days. On leap years, the thirty-day intercalary month named Adar Aleph is inserted. The first month, Adar Aleph, is considered the 'extra' month.

It is not so unusual for the two calendars to coincide, yet no doubt science geeks are delighted by the occurrence.