Earth is rotating faster, say scientists: What it means and should you worry?
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Why are days getting shorter now?
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What might be causing the faster spin?
No need to worry, say scientists
The Earth is spinning slightly faster than before, and that means our days are becoming shorter by a tiny fraction of a second. Scientists say this trend has been noticeable since 2020, and by 2029, we may even need to remove a leap second from our clocks—the first time such a step would be taken.This change in rotation speed is not entirely new. Earth's rotation has shifted gradually over millions of years. For example, days were about 23 hours long during the time of dinosaurs. During the Bronze Age, each day was already half a second shorter than now. According to scientists, if long-term patterns continue, an Earth day might last 25 hours—but only after about 200 million years.Earth takes roughly 86,400 seconds to complete a full spin. But this number is not exact. Several factors, such as ocean tides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and even changes below the surface, can affect how fast Earth spins.While the general trend over centuries has been a gradual slowing down, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), based in Washington D.C., says the planet has been spinning faster since 2020. This increase has been consistent enough that experts predict we might need to subtract a leap second in 2029 to keep clocks aligned with Earth's rotation.A report by timeanddate.com states that this pattern will likely continue into 2025. The shortest days of that year are expected to fall on July 9, July 22, and August 5. On August 5, Earth's rotation could be 1.51 milliseconds shorter than the usual 24 hours.The reason behind this recent speed-up is still unclear. Researchers are studying different possibilities, but none has given a complete answer.Leonid Zotov, a researcher at Moscow State University, told timeanddate.com, 'Nobody expected this.' Zotov co-authored a 2022 study on the topic but admitted that no existing model fully explains the change.Most scientists believe the answer may be found deep within the Earth's core. Changes in the oceans or atmosphere do not seem strong enough to explain the sudden increase. However, factors like melting polar ice and shifting land surfaces may also influence rotation speed.Although Earth is spinning faster now, scientists say this does not signal a major shift. Over the long term, the planet still tends to slow down. The current changes are small and will not lead to a return to prehistoric-day lengths anytime soon.The possible removal of a leap second in 2029 would mark an adjustment to match atomic time with Earth's actual spin. It would not affect daily life, but it serves as a reminder that even something as constant as time is not completely fixed.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Earth's faster spin may cause shorter days, scientists warn — should you be concerned
Scientists have discovered that Earth is rotating slightly faster than usual, making our days shorter by a few milliseconds. While the change is minimal, it has significant implications for global timekeeping systems. Typically, leap seconds are added to atomic clocks to match Earth's slower rotation. However, if this faster spin continues, experts predict that by 2029, we may need to subtract a leap second for the first time in history. This would mark a major milestone in how we align human-made timekeeping with natural planetary rhythms, highlighting how even time is influenced by Earth's subtle yet dynamic changes. How Earth's day length has evolved over millions of years The Earth takes approximately 86,400 seconds to complete one full rotation, which equals one day. However, this duration is not perfectly constant. Various natural phenomena from gravitational forces to internal geophysical changes cause slight variations in how fast Earth spins. Historically, Earth's rotation has gradually slowed down. For example, during the era of the dinosaurs, days lasted only about 23 hours. By the Bronze Age, they had lengthened but were still about half a second shorter than today. In the long term, Earth may experience 25-hour days, but scientists estimate that will take another 200 million years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Earth's rotation is changing: What it means for the length of a day Since 2020, Earth has been spinning slightly faster, a trend that has surprised scientists. According to the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), based in Washington, D.C., this acceleration has continued steadily. The result? Shorter days by just a few milliseconds. If this trend persists, experts say we might need to remove a leap second from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by 2029. This would be the first time in history that a leap second is subtracted rather than added. A leap second is a one-second adjustment added periodically to atomic clocks to align them with Earth's irregular rotation. Since Earth's spin is not perfectly synchronized with atomic time, leap seconds help bridge that gap. So far, leap seconds have only been added to account for the Earth's slowing rotation. However, if Earth continues to spin faster, we may have to remove a second from atomic time for the first time ever. This adjustment would ensure that clocks continue to match Earth's actual rotation. Shortest days of 2025 expected in July and August, say scientists According to the trend of shorter days is expected to continue into 2025. Scientists have pinpointed three specific dates when Earth's spin is expected to be fastest: July 9, 2025 July 22, 2025 August 5, 2025 According to USA Today reports, on August 5, the length of a day could be 1.51 milliseconds shorter than the standard 24 hours—a noticeable deviation in scientific terms, even if humans won't perceive it. What's causing Earth's faster spin The exact reason behind the recent acceleration remains unclear. Scientists are currently exploring several possibilities: Seismic activity Changes in Earth's core dynamics Glacial rebound (land rising after ice melt) Shifts in ocean currents or atmospheric pressure However, Leonid Zotov, a researcher at Moscow State University, told 'Nobody expected this.' He co-authored a 2022 study on the topic, but he admitted that no current model fully explains the phenomenon. While changes in the oceans and atmosphere may contribute to fluctuations in Earth's spin, they likely aren't strong enough to account for this significant acceleration. Some researchers believe that movement within Earth's molten outer core could be influencing rotational speed. Scientists reassure: Leap second removal is routine and won't impact daily life Despite the unusual findings, scientists are not alarmed. While it is rare for Earth's rotation to speed up, such fluctuations are not unprecedented. Over centuries, the planet still trends toward a gradual slowdown. The potential removal of a leap second in 2029 is simply a technical correction—one that helps keep atomic clocks in sync with Earth's rotation. It will not affect daily life, devices, or global operations. However, it is a fascinating reminder that even something as reliable as time is influenced by complex natural forces beneath our feet. Also Read | Buck Moon 2025: When and where to watch July's Full Moon of the summer with top viewing tips
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
Earth is rotating faster, say scientists: What it means and should you worry?
Earth's rotation is speeding up, causing days to shorten by a fraction of a second since 2020. Scientists predict that a leap second might need to be removed in 2029 to align clocks with the planet's faster spin. While the cause remains unclear, researchers are exploring factors within the Earth's core, though this change is not a cause for concern. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why are days getting shorter now? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What might be causing the faster spin? No need to worry, say scientists The Earth is spinning slightly faster than before, and that means our days are becoming shorter by a tiny fraction of a second. Scientists say this trend has been noticeable since 2020, and by 2029, we may even need to remove a leap second from our clocks—the first time such a step would be change in rotation speed is not entirely new. Earth's rotation has shifted gradually over millions of years. For example, days were about 23 hours long during the time of dinosaurs. During the Bronze Age, each day was already half a second shorter than now. According to scientists, if long-term patterns continue, an Earth day might last 25 hours—but only after about 200 million takes roughly 86,400 seconds to complete a full spin. But this number is not exact. Several factors, such as ocean tides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and even changes below the surface, can affect how fast Earth the general trend over centuries has been a gradual slowing down, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), based in Washington D.C., says the planet has been spinning faster since 2020. This increase has been consistent enough that experts predict we might need to subtract a leap second in 2029 to keep clocks aligned with Earth's rotation.A report by states that this pattern will likely continue into 2025. The shortest days of that year are expected to fall on July 9, July 22, and August 5. On August 5, Earth's rotation could be 1.51 milliseconds shorter than the usual 24 reason behind this recent speed-up is still unclear. Researchers are studying different possibilities, but none has given a complete Zotov, a researcher at Moscow State University, told 'Nobody expected this.' Zotov co-authored a 2022 study on the topic but admitted that no existing model fully explains the scientists believe the answer may be found deep within the Earth's core. Changes in the oceans or atmosphere do not seem strong enough to explain the sudden increase. However, factors like melting polar ice and shifting land surfaces may also influence rotation Earth is spinning faster now, scientists say this does not signal a major shift. Over the long term, the planet still tends to slow down. The current changes are small and will not lead to a return to prehistoric-day lengths anytime possible removal of a leap second in 2029 would mark an adjustment to match atomic time with Earth's actual spin. It would not affect daily life, but it serves as a reminder that even something as constant as time is not completely fixed.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Earth is rotating faster, say scientists: What it means and should you worry?
The Earth is spinning slightly faster than before, and that means our days are becoming shorter by a tiny fraction of a second. Scientists say this trend has been noticeable since 2020, and by 2029, we may even need to remove a leap second from our clocks—the first time such a step would be taken. This change in rotation speed is not entirely new. Earth's rotation has shifted gradually over millions of years. For example, days were about 23 hours long during the time of dinosaurs. During the Bronze Age, each day was already half a second shorter than now. According to scientists, if long-term patterns continue, an Earth day might last 25 hours—but only after about 200 million years. Why are days getting shorter now? Earth takes roughly 86,400 seconds to complete a full spin. But this number is not exact. Several factors, such as ocean tides, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and even changes below the surface, can affect how fast Earth spins. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When the Camera Clicked at the Worst Possible Time Read More While the general trend over centuries has been a gradual slowing down, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), based in Washington D.C., says the planet has been spinning faster since 2020. This increase has been consistent enough that experts predict we might need to subtract a leap second in 2029 to keep clocks aligned with Earth's rotation. A report by states that this pattern will likely continue into 2025. The shortest days of that year are expected to fall on July 9, July 22, and August 5. On August 5, Earth's rotation could be 1.51 milliseconds shorter than the usual 24 hours. Live Events What might be causing the faster spin? The reason behind this recent speed-up is still unclear. Researchers are studying different possibilities, but none has given a complete answer. Leonid Zotov, a researcher at Moscow State University, told 'Nobody expected this.' Zotov co-authored a 2022 study on the topic but admitted that no existing model fully explains the change. Most scientists believe the answer may be found deep within the Earth's core. Changes in the oceans or atmosphere do not seem strong enough to explain the sudden increase. However, factors like melting polar ice and shifting land surfaces may also influence rotation speed. No need to worry, say scientists Although Earth is spinning faster now, scientists say this does not signal a major shift. Over the long term, the planet still tends to slow down. The current changes are small and will not lead to a return to prehistoric-day lengths anytime soon. The possible removal of a leap second in 2029 would mark an adjustment to match atomic time with Earth's actual spin. It would not affect daily life, but it serves as a reminder that even something as constant as time is not completely fixed.
