Earth's Spin: Why Days Are Getting Shorter

Our Planet is in a Hurry

Earth has been spinning faster than usual, making some days shorter than the standard 24 hours. This isn't a one-time event; it's happening more often, and scientists are closely monitoring the situation.

Record-Breaking Short Days

• July 9, 2025: Earth completed a full rotation in just under 24 hours, the shortest day ever recorded.
• Expected Short Days: Two more short days are anticipated this summer, on July 22 and August 5.

Causes of the Speed-Up

Earth's rotation isn't perfectly steady. Various forces can speed it up or slow it down:

• Long-Term Effect: The moon's gravity slows Earth down over long periods due to tidal forces.
• Short-Term Effect: Over days or months, Earth can speed up.

The Moon's Role

• July 9: The moon was at its farthest point from Earth's equator, altering Earth's wobble and speeding up its spin.
• Future Events: The same phenomenon is expected on July 22 and August 5.

Scientific Monitoring

• Atomic Clocks: Scientists have been tracking Earth's rotation precisely since the 1960s using atomic clocks.
• Measurement: These clocks can detect tiny changes in the length of a day, allowing scientists to compare Earth's time with atomic time.

Potential Impact: Negative Leap Second

• Current Practice: When Earth slows down, scientists add a leap second to keep time in sync.
• Future Possibility: If Earth continues to speed up, scientists might need to remove a second, known as a negative leap second. This unprecedented event could occur around 2029.