Why Do We Have A Leap Year And When Is The Next One? - Metro

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a calendar looking at the date 29 february
February 29 occurs every four years (Picture: Getty)

With 2022 now into its second month, there are many out there left wondering whether this year might be a leap year.

Most of the world follows the Gregorian calendar which is made up of 365 days.

However, every four years an extra day gives us a leap year – but… why?

Why do we have a leap year?

February 29 adds an additional 24 hours to the month, which is important in ensuring the calendar doesn’t go out of sync.

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One rotation of the Earth takes the Sun back to the same place in the sky, taking 24 hours, and is known as a solar day.

However, the Earth’s full orbit takes 365.2422 days – and that is where our 365-day calendar falls short.

If a leap day wasn’t added, we could eventually end up braving the winter during what we know as the summer months.

Is 2022 a leap year?

No – 2022 is not a leap year.

The next leap year will be in 2024, which means the next leap day will be 29 February 2024.

People born on February 29 may be known as a ‘leapling’ or ‘leaper’ and this year will actually be able to celebrate their birthdays on Leap Day, as opposed to the day before or after.

The extra day has also become a traditional time for women to propose to men.

It istradition for women to propose to men on a Leap Day (Picture: Getty)

How many days are there in a leap year?

There are 366 days in a leap year, as opposed to 365 in a non-leap year.

Leap days are added every four years because the earth doesn’t orbit the sun in exactly 365 days – it takes slightly longer.

The addition of a leap day means the calendar year stays synced up with the solar year.

When is the next leap year after 2024?

Leap years normally take place every four years, so the next leap day will be February 29, 2028.

The next three leaps years after that will be in2032, 2036 and 2040.

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