Millennium put in historical order

I refer to Dr. Bagus Mulyadi's letter 2000 is no leap year in The Jakarta Post of Dec. 18, 1999, and the editor's note on Peter Ward's letter on the Y2K problem published on Dec.17.

I have been a member of the Jakarta Amateur Astronomy Association since 1996. The address of the association is care of the Planetarium in Central Jakarta.

Leap years were already known in ancient Egypt. In 238 B.C. Pharaoh Ptolemy III decreed the addition of one day every four years. This correction was taken over by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar (46 B.C.); thus, the calendar was known as the Julian calendar.

The difference of 14 minutes and 12 seconds, according to English theologian Saint Bede (673-735 A.D.), was an annual difference (in 730 A.D. he mentioned 11 minutes and 14 seconds). The difference became one day in 128 years. However, the Julian calendar remained in force despite loud protests from Saint Bede.

Consequently, toward 1600, the difference accumulated to 10 days if the calculation started from the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.). Therefore, in 1582 A.D. Pope Gregorius XIII announced the deduction of these 10 days. The fifth day of October became Oct. 15, 1582. Thus, Oct. 5, 1582 to Oct. 14, 1582 never existed. Since that time the Julian calendar has been known as the Gregorian calendar.

From 1600 to 2000 the deduction of one day for every 128 years has taken place three times, in 1700, 1800 and 1900. Thus, the year 2000 remains a leap year. The next deduction will only happen in 2128 or rounded to 2100.

On the century and the millennium. The World Almanac page 174 mentions: "The first century consisted of the years 1 through 100. The 20th century consists of the years 1901 through 2000 and will end Dec. 31, 2000. The 21st century will begin on Jan. 1, 2001."

On the basis of analogy, the first millennium covered the years 1 to 1000 A.D.. The second millennium from 1001 to 2000 ending on Dec. 31, 2000. The third millennium will start on Jan. 1, 2001. Kompas daily of March 9, 1999, said: 298 days toward the year 2000 and 664 days toward the third millennium.

If we own a hotel, we can certainly promote it with the following words, "You can stay at our hotel to welcome the 21st century and the third millennium starting December 1999" (no need to wait until December 2000).

So, on the subject of the century and millennium, it should be distinguished between advertising and science. Just give the marketing people a chance to seek their fortune.

SUGENG PANUT

Jakarta