Scientists observe a significant acceleration in Earth’s rotation.
Scientists observe a significant acceleration in Earth’s rotation.
7-1-2025
Information / Baghdad..
The length of a single day affects the operation of GPS systems, satellites, and even financial markets, where accuracy down to a thousandth of a second is crucial.
The Earth continues to rotate at an increasing speed, and this summer we may experience the shortest day in recorded history. According to a report by Time and Date, this could occur on July 9, July 22, or August 5, 2025. The difference will be imperceptible to the naked eye, but according to atomic clocks, one of these days could be 1.51 milliseconds shorter than a standard 24-hour day.
These changes not only affect technical systems but may also be linked to geological processes deep within the Earth and even affect the global climate. Although the difference is small, less than a millisecond, tracking these shifts is crucial.
If this trend continues, adjustments to Universal Time may become necessary, including the introduction of a negative leap second—that is, the removal of one second to synchronize Earth’s time with atomic clocks.
Possible scientific causes:
Since 2020, scientists have observed an acceleration in the planet’s rotation, meaning that the Earth’s day—the time it takes for the Earth to rotate on its axis—is getting shorter. For example, in June 2022, Earth set a record by rotating 1.59 milliseconds faster than 24 hours. The reasons for this are unclear, but the most prominent hypotheses are:
Tidal forces from the moon and sun slowing or speeding up rotation;
Changes in Earth’s core, including the redistribution of mass in the liquid outer core;
and Movements in the atmosphere and oceans causing temporary oscillations.
Most researchers believe the acceleration is related to processes within Earth, but atmospheric factors may also contribute.
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