Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Julius Caesar and Leap Days

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for February 29, 2024 is “Julius Caesar and Leap Days,” an image. It is credited to Image Credit & License: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Wikimedia. The original explanation runs about 214 words.

Julius Caesar and Leap Days
Credit: Image Credit & License: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Wikimedia Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“In 46 BC Julius Caesar reformed the calendar system . Based on advice by astronomer Sosigenes of Alexandria , the Julian calendar included one leap day every four years to account for the fact that an Earth year is slightly more than 365 days long.”

— APOD editors, February 29, 2024

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
February 29, 2024
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit & License: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Wikimedia
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 214 words

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On this day: February 29 in other years

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.