This summer, Earth is experiencing faster rotation, resulting in shorter days. On July 10, the day was 1.36 milliseconds shorter than the usual 24 hours, with more short days predicted on July 22 and August 5. The Earth’s rotation varies due to factors like the moon’s gravitational pull, atmospheric changes, and the dynamics of its liquid core.
These slight changes, although negligible for daily life, can impact technology such as satellites and communication systems. Atomic clocks, which serve as the global time standard, measure these discrepancies. Since 1972, the standard has added 27 “leap seconds,” with no additions since 2016. As Earth’s rotation speeds up, there’s speculation about possible “negative leap seconds,” a scenario not previously anticipated.
Experts like Duncan Agnew attribute the recent increases in rotation speed to seasonal changes and the effects of climate change, particularly melting polar ice, which might mitigate the acceleration. Predictions about future spins remain uncertain, but the possibility of more rapid changes could necessitate further adjustments in timekeeping systems.
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