ME and Ophelia

THE PERFECT TIME
01:02:03 on 04/05/06

In the early hours of Thursday morning, for just a second - the time will be exactly 01:02:03 on 04/05/06.

Or at least it will be in the UK and the majority of countries which list dates in day and month order. In the US, the same phenomenon was observed on 5 April.

And, boy, was it observed. Hundreds of American bloggers took the opportunity to pay their own tribute to this segment of time, with many aiming to upload updates at the precise second it occurred.

The blogs also prompted plenty of debate as to how often such times come about.

Full story BBC May 3, 2006.

IN JUST ONE SECOND IN THE UK
£22,880 is earned
£22,800 is spent
174 credit and debit card transactions
One in 44 chance someone will be born
Six people start plane journeys, 69 catch a train and 145 hop on a bus
Britons travel an average 4.2cm
£150 donated to charity
One in 102 chance of a wedding taking place
£881.53 spent on alcohol and cigarettes
(Based on Office of National Statistics annual figures)

JOHNNY BALL'S PUZZLE

How much time will elapse between 01:02:03 and 03:02:01?

Answer: one hour, 59 minutes, 58 seconds