Moon Drifting Away: Will Earth Have 25 Hour Days?

News18

5 days ago

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Our planet currently runs on a 24-hour day, which shapes our daily routines of work, rest, and recreation. But what if we had 25 hours in a day? While that may sound exciting, it's a change that only future generations, far into the future, might experience. Let's explore why.
According to a report by The Times of India, researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have found that the Moon is drifting away from the Earth at a rate of approximately 3.8 centimetres per year. Though this fact has been known for some time, the long-term effects are now attracting more attention. According to experts, as the moon drifts further away, it will slow the Earth's rotation, eventually resulting in a 25-hour day.
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Professor David Waltham, from Royal Holloway, University of London, explains that this is due to tidal forces gradually slowing the Earth's rotation. The Moon's gravitational pull creates tidal bulges on Earth, which act like a brake, slowly reducing the planet's spin. In turn, some of the energy lost by Earth is transferred to the Moon, causing it to slowly recede from us.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and referenced in a Times of India report, also offers insights into Earth's distant past. Around 1.4 billion years ago, when the Moon was significantly closer, a day on Earth lasted just over 18 hours. Since then, as the Moon has moved further away, the length of a day has gradually increased to the 24-hour cycle we know today.
The moon plays a vital role in regulating our planet, especially in influencing ocean tides. When the moon is closer, it creates more powerful tidal waves, potentially even daily tsunamis. As it moves away, these tidal effects lessen. The gravitational interplay between the Earth and the moon keeps this balance in check. However, other planets, such as Mars and Jupiter, also exert gravitational pull on the moon, contributing to its continued drift.
This change in distance directly affects how fast the Earth spins. The moon's gravitational force drives tidal waves, which help regulate the planet's rotation. As the moon retreats, its influence diminishes, leading to what scientists call "tidal acceleration" a gradual slowing of Earth's rotation, and a reduction in the height and frequency of tides.
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During the Apollo missions, scientists installed reflectors on the lunar surface and used laser beams to measure the moon's distance precisely. These readings confirm the moon's steady movement away from Earth. At present, the Moon is on average about 384,400 kilometres from Earth and takes roughly 27.3 days to complete one orbit. Current estimates suggest that in around 200 million years, Earth could experience 25-hour days.
While this shift doesn't currently impact our daily lives, researchers warn of potential future effects on climate, tides, and ecosystems. A longer day could alter our circadian rhythms, affect agriculture, and even disrupt natural behaviours in wildlife.