Earth's spin slowed down on August 5. There is a surprising cause behind it
However, the solar day we experience, defined by the time between successive noons, is exactly 24 hours or 86,400 seconds.The difference arose because Earth must rotate an extra degree due to its orbit around the Sun. On August 5, 2025, the solar day is slightly shorter due to a combination of factors affecting Earth's rotation rate, James O'Donoghue, Research Associate Professor in Planetary Astronomy, Meteorology, University of Reading explained in an article in The Coversation.The main influence on daily variations in Earth's spin comes from atmospheric winds, ocean currents, and magma flows. Winds colliding with Earth's surface, especially over mountain ranges, can apply a tiny braking effect. During the northern hemisphere summer, when winds are generally slower, Earth spins faster, leading to shorter days. Additionally, the Moon's gravitational pull exerts tidal forces on Earth's oceans, which gradually slow down the spin over long timescales.However, on certain dates when the Moon is positioned unusually far north or south, this tidal drag weakens, contributing to a faster rotation.Moreover, changes deep inside Earth also play a role. Since about 2020, scientists have observed that Earth's rotation has been speeding up rather than the typical long-term slowdown caused by factors like polar ice melting and earthquakes.This acceleration is attributed to the exchange of angular momentum between Earth's core and mantle. Such subtle shifts are detected using ultra-precise atomic clocks and quasar-referenced astronomical measurements, enabling prediction of short days well in advance.The tiny 1.33-millisecond shortening translates to a positional discrepancy of about 62 centimeters at the equator if uncorrected in systems relying on precise timing, like GPS. To maintain accurate global navigation and communication, adjustments such as leap seconds are carefully managed.Despite Earth's fluctuating speed, these millisecond variations remain unnoticed in daily life but highlight the incredible precision needed in modern timekeeping and the dynamic forces shaping our planet's rotation.- EndsMust Watch
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