Latest news with #LeonidZotov
Arab Times
a day ago
- Science
- Arab Times
Earth to spin faster on July 22, marking one of the shortest days ever
NEW YORK, July 21: Earth will complete its rotation slightly faster than usual on Tuesday, July 22, resulting in one of the shortest days ever recorded. The planet's day will be 1.34 milliseconds shorter than the standard 24 hours — a difference too small to notice but significant in tracking Earth's rotational trends. Since 1973, when atomic clocks began recording Earth's rotation precisely, the shortest day was 1.05 milliseconds less than 24 hours, recorded before 2020. However, since 2020, Earth has repeatedly set new speed records, with the shortest day so far occurring on July 5, 2024, at 1.66 milliseconds less. In 2025, July 10 currently holds the shortest day with 1.36 milliseconds less, followed closely by the upcoming July 22 at 1.34 milliseconds. This recent acceleration contradicts the long-term trend of Earth's rotation slowing down over millions of years, primarily due to tidal friction caused by the Moon. Historically, days have lengthened as the Moon's gravitational pull saps Earth's rotational energy. Scientists remain uncertain about the cause of the current speeding up. Some suggest changes deep within Earth's liquid core may be redistributing momentum, causing the crust and mantle to spin faster. Other theories point to melting polar ice and rising sea levels but see these as more likely to moderate rather than drive the acceleration. Leonid Zotov, an expert in Earth rotation at Moscow State University, told that atmospheric and ocean models do not explain the acceleration, suggesting it originates from internal Earth processes. He also predicts that Earth's rotation may soon slow down again, indicating this spike in speed could be temporary. If this trend continues, it may necessitate the introduction of a 'negative leap second' — a removal of one second from atomic clocks — as early as 2029, an adjustment never before implemented. Summary: Earth is spinning faster than usual, creating some of the shortest days on record. While the exact cause remains unclear, the phenomenon challenges long-standing patterns of Earth's rotational slowdown. Scientists continue to monitor the situation closely.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Time keeps on slipping - literally. Why today might have been the shortest day you'll ever experience
Some upcoming summer days are actually getting shorter, literally. Even if it's only by milliseconds. While the change won't be noticeable, Wednesday might technically be the shortest day you'll ever experience. That's because Earth completed its rotation approximately 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds faster than the average 86,400 seconds. "In other words, we're not traveling back toward the Mesozoic in terms of rotation," Popular Mechanics reports. "The planet will eventually continue its steady deceleration — this is, of course, its natural tendency, but surface changes like polar ice melt can also contribute to the Earth's rotation slowing down." This phenomenon is invisible to daily life but of significant importance to high-precision timekeeping systems such as atomic clocks, GPS, and satellite networks. Scientists at the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service attribute the acceleration to a subtle shift in the Moon's orbital alignment, which, orbiting farther from Earth's equator this summer, has reduced the 'tidal braking' effect that normally slows our planet's spin. Others, such as Moscow State University astronomer Leonid Zotov, said the cause of this acceleration is unexplained. "Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth," he told "Ocean and atmospheric models don't explain this huge acceleration." This spike in rotational speed marks the sixth occurrence of unusually fast days since 2020, with similar events expected to occur on July 22 and August 5. In response to the slight change, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service is now considering implementing a negative leap second, a rare adjustment that subtracts time from Coordinated Universal Time to resynchronize clocks with Earth's rotation. Such a correction has never been made before, but the growing trend may require one around 2029.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Why July 9 May Be the Shortest Day in Recorded History
Originally appeared on E! Online The summer months may bring longer daylight hours, but the days themselves are actually getting shorter. In fact, July 9 could end up being the shortest day ever recorded by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS), which tracks the length of each day down to the millisecond. It's expected to clock in at roughly 1.3 milliseconds shorter than the typical 86,400 seconds in a 24-hour span, according to the BBC. The phenomenon may even occur more than once, as July 22 and Aug. 5 are also predicted to be slightly shorter than normal. On these dates, the moon will be furthest from the equator, which experts have tied to the momentum of the Earth's rotation, per the outlet. Indeed, experts have observed a steady acceleration in the Earth's rotation since 2020. Currently, the shortest day ever was logged on July 5, 2024, which was 1.66 milliseconds shorter than usual, according to Time and Date. For some of the most out-of-this-world celebrity quotes, keep reading. More from E! Online Kanye "Ye" West's Wife Bianca Censori Looks So Different With Bold New Hairstyle Kate Middleton's Personal Assistant of 15 Years Exits Palace Camp Mystic Survivor, 13, Details "Hysterical" Scene During Texas Flood But the moon's placement alone doesn't account for the years-long trend of Earth's rotation speeding up. 'The cause of this acceleration is not explained,' Moscow State University researcher Leonid Zotov told Time and Date in an interview published June 16. 'Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth. Ocean and atmospheric models don't explain this huge acceleration.' While most people are unlikely to notice the effects of the occurrences, the IERS has periodically added a leap second to the year—most recently in 2016—to ensure high-precision clocks are unaffected. But the recent string of condensed days could have a subtle effect in the future, resulting in a leap second being taken off the clock for the first time in 2029. Fortunately, though, Zotov predicted that the Earth's momentum would eventually subside. 'I think we have reached the minimum,' he said. 'Sooner or later, Earth will decelerate.' For some of the most out-of-this-world celebrity quotes, keep reading. Gayle KingKaty PerryWilliam ShatnerLance BassMichael StrahanKim KardashianElon MuskLeonardo DiCaprioJustin BieberTom HanksAshton KutcherPrince WilliamCameron DiazMichael FassbenderCharlize TheronParis Hilton For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
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The Independent
09-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
How Earth's rotation is making today feel like the shortest day ever
Earth 's rotation has recently accelerated, making some summer days fractionally shorter by milliseconds. This phenomenon, though unnoticeable in daily life, significantly impacts high-precision timekeeping systems like atomic clocks and GPS. Scientists at the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service suggest the acceleration is due to a subtle shift in the Moon 's orbital alignment, reducing 'tidal braking'. However, other experts, such as Moscow State University astronomer Leonid Zotov, state the cause remains unexplained, possibly originating from within the Earth. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service is considering implementing a 'negative leap second' for the first time, potentially around 2029, to resynchronize global time.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Time keeps on slipping - literally. Why today might have been the shortest day you ever experience
Some upcoming summer days are actually getting shorter, literally. Even if it's only by milliseconds. While the change won't be noticeable, Wednesday might technically be the shortest day you'll ever experience. That's because Earth completed its rotation approximately 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds faster than the average 86,400 seconds. "In other words, we're not traveling back toward the Mesozoic in terms of rotation," Popular Mechanics reports. "The planet will eventually continue its steady deceleration — this is, of course, its natural tendency, but surface changes like polar ice melt can also contribute to the Earth's rotation slowing down." This phenomenon is invisible to daily life but of significant importance to high-precision timekeeping systems such as atomic clocks, GPS, and satellite networks. Scientists at the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service attribute the acceleration to a subtle shift in the Moon 's orbital alignment, which, orbiting farther from Earth's equator this summer, has reduced the 'tidal braking' effect that normally slows our planet's spin. Others, such as Moscow State University astronomer Leonid Zotov, said the cause of this acceleration is unexplained. "Most scientists believe it is something inside the Earth," he told "Ocean and atmospheric models don't explain this huge acceleration." This spike in rotational speed marks the sixth occurrence of unusually fast days since 2020, with similar events expected to occur on July 22 and August 5. In response to the slight change, the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service is now considering implementing a negative leap second, a rare adjustment that subtracts time from Coordinated Universal Time to resynchronize clocks with Earth's rotation. Such a correction has never been made before, but the growing trend may require one around 2029.
