One of shortest days on record expected this month as scientists warn Earth's rotation is ‘unexpectedly' speeding up
The first of the shorter days will take place next week.
1
It's likely all thanks to the Moon, according to
The dates fall when our lunar satellite will be its furthest from Earth's equator.
This can impact the rate of the Earth's rotation, which causes slight variations in the length of a day.
Although experts have not yet confirmed the cause of the change.
READ MORE ON SCIENCE
The International Rotation and Reference Systems Service has found that 9 July, 22 July, and 5 August will be the shortest days since 2020.
As much as 1.51 milliseconds will be shaved off the clock, according to a experts.
While that doesn't seem like much, and won't be noticeable, scientists say it's a pretty significant time jump.
'Nobody expected this,' Leonic Zotov, Earth rotation expert from Moscow State University, told
Most read in Tech
'The cause of this acceleration is not explained. Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth.
"Ocean and atmospheric models don't explain this huge acceleration."
Incredible plans for DOUGHNUT-shaped spacecraft to float cargo to Earth
The shortest day recorded since 2020 was 5 July, 2024, which was a full 1.66 milliseconds shorter than average.
Before 2020, Earth never experienced a day shorter than the average by much more than a millisecond.
But in the past five years, it's been more likely to see days during the summer that are nearly half-a-millisecond shorter than pre-2020s levels.
Days on Earth have not always been 24-hours long.
Between the dinosaur-dominated Mesozoic era and the Bronze Age, days were roughly only 23 hours.
Bronze Age people experienced days that were 0.47 seconds shorter than what humans in 2025 experience.
Projections suggest that in 200million years, a day will extend to 25 hours.
Earth may need to take a drastic measure to keep up with the new pace by introducing a 'negative leap second' in 2029, according to a study published in
'This is an unprecedented situation and a big deal,' study lead author and geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California Duncan Agnew said at the time.
'It's not a huge change in the Earth's rotation that's going to lead to some catastrophe or anything, but it is something notable.
"It's yet another indication that we're in a very unusual time.'
All you need to know about planets in our solar system
Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all...
How old is
How many moons does
What colour is
How far away is
How big is
How many moons does
Does
How many moons does
How big is
How hot is the
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
One of shortest days on record expected this month as scientists warn Earth's rotation is ‘unexpectedly' speeding up
EARTH is set to have three unexpectedly shorter than average days in the coming weeks - and it's taken scientists by surprise. The first of the shorter days will take place next week. 1 It's likely all thanks to the Moon, according to The dates fall when our lunar satellite will be its furthest from Earth's equator. This can impact the rate of the Earth's rotation, which causes slight variations in the length of a day. Although experts have not yet confirmed the cause of the change. READ MORE ON SCIENCE The International Rotation and Reference Systems Service has found that 9 July, 22 July, and 5 August will be the shortest days since 2020. As much as 1.51 milliseconds will be shaved off the clock, according to a experts. While that doesn't seem like much, and won't be noticeable, scientists say it's a pretty significant time jump. 'Nobody expected this,' Leonic Zotov, Earth rotation expert from Moscow State University, told Most read in Tech 'The cause of this acceleration is not explained. Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth. "Ocean and atmospheric models don't explain this huge acceleration." Incredible plans for DOUGHNUT-shaped spacecraft to float cargo to Earth The shortest day recorded since 2020 was 5 July, 2024, which was a full 1.66 milliseconds shorter than average. Before 2020, Earth never experienced a day shorter than the average by much more than a millisecond. But in the past five years, it's been more likely to see days during the summer that are nearly half-a-millisecond shorter than pre-2020s levels. Days on Earth have not always been 24-hours long. Between the dinosaur-dominated Mesozoic era and the Bronze Age, days were roughly only 23 hours. Bronze Age people experienced days that were 0.47 seconds shorter than what humans in 2025 experience. Projections suggest that in 200million years, a day will extend to 25 hours. Earth may need to take a drastic measure to keep up with the new pace by introducing a 'negative leap second' in 2029, according to a study published in 'This is an unprecedented situation and a big deal,' study lead author and geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California Duncan Agnew said at the time. 'It's not a huge change in the Earth's rotation that's going to lead to some catastrophe or anything, but it is something notable. "It's yet another indication that we're in a very unusual time.' All you need to know about planets in our solar system Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all... How old is How many moons does What colour is How far away is How big is How many moons does Does How many moons does How big is How hot is the
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Never-before-seen moment two frisky killer whales are filmed KISSING in incredible footage – and they even use tongue
THIS is the astonishing moment a pair of orcas was spotted kissing - with tongues - for the first time ever in the wild. The killer smooch was caught on camera by scientists during a snorkelling trip in northern Norway. 4 Two orcas (also known as killer whales) were spotted kissing in northern Norway Credit: Javier Almunia, et al 4 One orca extends its tongue as the other gently nibbles it Credit: Javier Almunia, et al 4 The interaction lasted nearly two minutes Credit: Javier Almunia, et al The heart-warming interaction between the two orcas - also known as killer whales - took place in the dramatic Kvænangen fjords, about 68 miles northeast of Tromsø. In the nearly two-minute-long video, the orcas are seen engaging in three separate 'kissing' episodes, lasting 10, 26 and 18 seconds each. During these intimate moments, one orca extends its tongue while the other appears to gently mouth or nibble it. After the final 'kiss', the highly intelligent mammals part ways and swim off in opposite directions. Read more tech news In the paper published in the journal Oceans, researchers describe the two adult orcas as engaging in 'repeated episodes of gentle, face-to-face oral contact'. The snorkellers floated quietly and horizontally in the water - careful not to disturb the orcas - and filmed the interaction on a GoPro. Scientists call this tactile interaction 'tongue-nibbling'. Study author Dr Javier Almunia told Most read in Tech While tongue-nibbling has not been recorded in other species, similar mouth-to-mouth contact has been spotted in belugas, according to Dr Almunia. He added: "This behaviour appears to serve affiliative purposes and may play a role in reinforcing social bonds or resolving conflicts, akin to grooming or reconciliation behaviours in other highly social species." Watch rare vid of 'glowing' albino killer whale as elusive real-life Moby Dick breaches waves leaving orca fan 'shaking' Mouth-to-mouth contact in orcas was previously recorded in 2013 at Loro Parque, a zoo on Tenerife. During that observation, 'one individual protruded its tongue while the other made gentle nibbling movements,' the study authors, Dr Almunia and colleagues, explain. The zoo-keepers reported that tongue-nibbling behaviour had been noted in four individual orcas at the park. Mouth-to-mouth contact was first documented in captive orcas in a 1978 study by Paul Spong and Ingrid Visser, who suggested it plays a role in maintaining social cohesion. It comes as two pals on a fishing trip spotted what appeared to be a David Hilton, 64, and Paul Bradshaw, 61, were angling off the South Coast when they saw several large creatures breaching the surface. They appeared to be hunting dolphins in busy international shipping lanes, just five miles south of Plymouth, Devon. Orcas are found in oceans all over the world, but they are most commonly seen in the Pacific Northwest (US and Canada), Norway, Iceland and the Antarctic water. But sightings in the Channel are rare. The Channel is not a typical habitat for orcas as it is shallow and heavily trafficked. 4 Sightings of orcas in the Channel are rare Credit: Getty Why do orcas "kiss"? ORCAS are highly intelligent mammals, known for their advanced communication skills and their complex social structures Killer whales are known to 'kiss' by gently touching or nuzzling each other with their mouths. Scientists say this behaviour is a way for orcas to show affection, build trust and communicate - much like humans hugging or holding hands. Researchers studying orcas both in the wild and in captivity believe this behaviour helps them relieve stress, resolve conflicts and strengthen long-term social bonds. When orcas 'kiss' or nuzzle, it's usually an affectionate, social gesture rather than a romantic one. Mothers and calves are often seen engaging in this behaviour, along with other members of a pod - their tight-knit family groups.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Colossal asteroid could damage thousands of Earth's satellites with ‘bullet speed' rocks if it hits Moon, experts warn
A COLOSSAL asteroid on a collision course with the Moon could damage thousands of satellites and send shrapnel blasting towards Earth, experts have warned. Asteroid 2024 YR4 sparked concern earlier this year with fears of a "city killer" incident if it 3 The asteroid currently has a 4.3 per cent chance of hitting the Moon Credit: Getty 3 Asteroid 2024 YR4 is currently hiding and won't be seen clearly again until 2028 Credit: Getty Fortunately, newer estimates put Earth in the clear - instead the Moon is at risk. Nasa predictions suggest there's a 4.3 per cent Now scientists say there could still consequences that affect us all the same if it does indeed strike the Moon. A direct hit would leave a huge 1km-diameter crater on the lunar surface and send millions of kilograms of debris pelting towards Earth. Read more about asteroids Dr Paul Wiegert from University of Western Ontario, told AFP that the impact on the Moon's surface would be "comparable to a large nuclear explosion in terms of the amount of energy released". "A centimetre-sized rock travelling at tens of thousands of metres per second is a lot like a bullet," he said. Most of the lunar rock would burn up in Earth's atmosphere posing no threat to life on the ground. But some of that material could blast around Earth's orbit, striking satellites and spacecraft. Most read in Science Given the increasing number of satellites in lower Earth orbit, this risks damaging satellites used for communications or navigation. However, there would be some positives too, in the form of a stunning meteor shower. Why Earth's now SAVED from 'city-killer' asteroid YR4- Expert reveals how odds FLIPPED from 1-32 to 'Threat 0' in days The research was conducted by Canadian researchers and presented in a paper that's not currently peer reviewed. "If 2024 YR4 strikes the moon in 2032, it will (statistically speaking) be the largest impact in approximately 5,000 years," the paper warns. "The resulting meteor shower at Earth could be eye-catching." Asteroid 2024 YR4 orbits the sun and is currently too far away to be seen properly by scientists. It's not expected to be visible again until 2028 when experts can reassess the possible impact. 3 HOW NASA ASSESSES ASTEROID DANGERS Explained by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun Nasa uses something called the Torino Impact Hazard Scale to rate asteroids and other objects. The scale goes from zero to 10. Zero - also known as white zone - is defined as: "The likelihood of a collision is zero, or is so low as to be effectively zero. Also applies to small objects such as meteors and bodies that burn up in the atmosphere as well as infrequent meteorite falls that rarely cause damage." At the top end of the scale is 10, which states: "A collision is certain, capable of causing global climatic catastrophe that may threaten the future of civilization as we know it, whether impacting land or ocean. Such events occur on average once per 100,000 years, or less often."
