6 days ago
Earth is spinning faster: Aug. 5 set to be one of the shortest days on record
The Earth's solar day on Tuesday is set to be one of the shortest days on record, lasting a few milliseconds short of the typical 24 hours, according to reports.
While the slight difference of 1.25 milliseconds may not be naturally discernible, it is enough to get scientists studying shifting trends in the Earth's rotation.
A usual 24-hour solar day is measured from noon to noon, which adds up to 86,400 seconds.
However, scientists have predicted three dates in 2025 which will be shorter than 24 hours. These include July 9, July 22, and August 5.
The shortest day ever was July 5 last year, falling 1.66 milliseconds below the 24-hour mark.
According to a 2024 article published in Nature by Duncan Carr Agnew, global warming may be a contributing factor in this shift. However, postulates that the accelerated rotation of the Earth is more likely due to slower rotation of the Earth's liquid core, making the rest of the planet spin faster.
