Latest news with #RichardHolme
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Earth is about to break its own speed record—here's why
The Earth is pretty good at keeping its pace. However, variations do happen. And on three separate days this summer—July 9, July 22, and August 5—the Earth will spin notably faster than usual. What is fractional leadership, and why is it booming now? It's not just Bitcoin: Altcoin XRP's price is also rising. Here's a possible reason why Slurpee Day 2025: How to get your free frozen treat at 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes today Of course, you're not likely to feel dizzy or notice the shift at all, but scientists are well aware of it. They say that over a 24-hour period, the Earth's rotation will take a few milliseconds less than it usually does—about 1.3 to 1.51 milliseconds less, to be exact. It's faster than the blink of an eye or a heartbeat, but it's significant, either way. Twenty-four hours (86,400 seconds), or a full day, is the time it takes for the Earth to rotate fully on its axis. That exact rotation speed depends on a number of factors, including the Earth's mass, as well as its distance from the moon. With the moon closer to the poles, the Earth's spin speeds up. On the days the Earth's rotation is set to speed up, the moon will be at its farthest distance from Earth's equator, altering the impact of its gravitational pull on Earth's axis. Richard Holme, a geophysicist at the University of Liverpool, said, per Live Science: 'There is more land in the Northern Hemisphere than the Southern. In northern summer, the trees get leaves. This means that mass is moved from the ground to above the ground—farther away from the Earth's spin axis.' Thus, it will spin faster. Interestingly, while the Earth had been gradually speeding up on the regular, climate change has impacted the Earth's rotation in a major way. It's actually caused it to slow down. A 2024 study published in Nature pointed to the melting of the polar ice caps as a significant factor in the Earth's decelerated pace. At the time, professor Duncan Agnew of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the author of the study, explained the phenomenon by using the example of a skater spinning on ice. 'If they hold their arms out, their spinning is slower. But if they bring [their arms] into their body, then they speed up. This demonstrates the conservation of angular momentum, a principle which applies to all spinning objects, including the Earth.' Agnew continued: 'As polar ice melts, the water spreads out over the whole ocean, causing the same effect as the skater spreading their arms out—the Earth slows down. More rapid melting would slow the Earth more rapidly, opposing the speedup that has been seen in recent years.' Experts began measuring the speed at which the Earth rotates in the 1950s. While variations in speed are not uncommon, the shortest day ever recorded happened just last year on July 5, 2024. On that day, the Earth completed its full rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual. Experts believe July 9, 2025, may break the previously set record. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Earth's Rotation Sped Up on July 9—and We're Not Sure Exactly Why
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. If you've felt like summer days are flying by, you're not wrong—at least not scientifically. Experts have observed that Earth's rotation is speeding up, making some days slightly shorter than the standard 24 hours. On July 9, 2025, scientists at the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) reported that the Earth completed its rotation approximately 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds faster than the standard 24-hour period. Moreover, this is expected to happen again on July 22 and August 5 this year. While the differences in time are imperceptible to humans, it's significant enough to raise eyebrows in the world of ultra-precise timekeeping. It takes Earth 24 hours, or 86,400 seconds, to make one full rotation around its axis, but Earth's rotation isn't perfectly constant. It speeds up and slows down due to a complex mix of factors, and scientists monitor these fluctuations using atomic clocks. These clocks are so accurate that they only lose or gain a second every 100 million years. Why is Earth spinning faster? "The causes of the recent acceleration are not fully understood," Astrophysicist Graham Jones told Newsweek. There's no single reason why Earth is spinning faster, but scientists point to several likely contributors. One major factor is the Moon. Earth's natural satellite exerts a powerful gravitational pull that generally slows our rotation over long timescales. But during certain points in the Moon's elliptical and tilted orbit, especially when it's farthest from Earth and at its steepest angle relative to the equator, lunar gravity can have a speeding effect. On the key dates this summer, the Moon will be near its farthest point and at a sharp orbital tilt—conditions that appear to align with these shorter days. Another key factor is the constant exchange of angular momentum between different parts of the Earth system. "If the atmosphere speeds up, the solid Earth slows down—and vice versa," geophysicist professor Richard Holme of the University of Liverpool told Newsweek. Over longer periods, similar exchanges occur between Earth's mantle and its fluid core. A file photo of a globe spinning. A file photo of a globe spinning. Stockbyte/Getty Images Other factors thought to impact the speed of the Earth's spin include geological activity, like earthquakes, which can redistribute the planet's mass and affect its spin, though there are no recent large quakes to link to this year's speed increase. Glaciers melting as a result of climate change can also shift water masses around the planet, altering Earth's axis, though this is usually expected to slow the planet's rotation rather than speed it up. "Studies support the idea that the redistribution of ice and water affects Earth's rotation, although this likely doesn't explain the recent acceleration," Jones said. What are the implications? It may sound like cosmic trivia, but the consequences of Earth's rotational changes are real. "If this faster rotation continues, a negative leap second may be required to keep our clocks in sync with the Sun. This would mean a second is skipped—there would be a minute with only 59 seconds," Jones explained. This would cause problems for global infrastructure like satellite navigation, military systems and global financial markets that rely on split-second precision. A mismatch between the planet's rotation and atomic time could wreak havoc on these networks. "For navigation, GPS is corrected for position for an offset caused by a cumulative effect of change in rotation rate. For timekeeping systems, there is mention of possibly adopting a negative leap second—an extra (or in this case, one fewer) second in the day to make sure we line up again," Holme said. To date, all adjustments to time have involved adding a leap second. But if Earth's current acceleration continues, scientists may soon need to subtract one instead, a move that could pose new challenges for timekeeping systems and software. Is Earth speeding up? The shorter days noticed by scientists have sparked interest, but in general, the Earth is slowing in rotation. "There were 400 days in a year 300 million years ago, for about the same length of year," Holme explained. "Overall, the Earth's rotation is slowing," Jones agreed. "But within this overall pattern, there are ups and downs in Earth's rotational speed." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about Earth's rotation? Let us know via science@
ITV News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- ITV News
July weather blog: Why time is moving faster and when to see the Delta Aquariid meteor shower
We are now well into the summer and have already experienced temperatures rising into the high 20s. But what can we expect for the rest of this month? Read on for the answer to all of your meteorological musings. July weather July tends to be one of our driest months of the year, with the average rainfall of 45mm only measuring a third of what is expected across December. This could be interpreted as roughly 1.5mm per day, but in July it is more typical for the rainfall to come in just a handful of sporadic showers, whilst most days stay dry. July is also a sunny month, according to climate records, featuring approximately 8.8 hours of sunshine a day - on par with June, despite having marginally fewer daylight hours. Dry and sunny weather tends to occur when an area of high pressure sits over us, usually extending from the Azores or mainland Europe. As well as being dry, July is often one of our hottest months of the year - with the same average daily maximum temperature as August, which is 22°C in Jersey and 19.6°C in Guernsey. As we progress through the summer, the ground stores up heat - the power of the sun is strong and with shorter nights than days, there is more time for the earth to warm than there is for it to cool. This warm surface temperature can combine with warm air temperatures on a sunny day to give us hotter weather. As we progress through the summer, the ground and surrounding sea store up more and more heat – even though, after the solstice in June, the power of the sun actually starts to slightly wane and the days slightly shorten. The warmer sea and earth significantly limit overnight cooling, which means that we generally start each day at a higher temperature than in June and can easily climb to higher maximum temperatures, despite the reduced intensity and duration of sunlight. However, it must be noted that July's sunshine is still very intense compared to the rest of the year, with the UV index typically reaching 8 in the first half of the month and 7 in the second. Well technically, time is moving a bit faster. Usually, there are 24 hours in a day or 86,400 seconds. But it can vary by a few milliseconds, depending on how quickly the Earth rotates. Listen to Richard Holme, a professor in geophysics, explain what is causing shorter days and whether this trend is set to continue This variation is due to a complicated interplay of atmospheric changes, movement of the Earth's core, and the moon's effect on the tide. Even simple things like the wind blowing on the rocky mountains can affect the speed of the Earth's rotation. Since 2020, scientists have noticed the Earth moving faster and several factors are combining across three dates in summer to give us our shortest days on record. Pluto's perigee and July's night skies The full moon peaks on the 10th of this month. It is known as a 'buck' moon, so-named as it coincides with the time of year when male deer (bucks) start to grow new antlers. Soon after, we are treated to a meteor shower, with the Delta Aquariid shower starting on 12 July. It peaks later in the month, around 28 and 29 July, when we could see from 15 to 20 meteors an hour. The best time to see the meteors is in a dark place, away from artificial light, after midnight. Pluto is set to shine brightly as it reaches a perigee on 25 July - this is the point in its orbit when it is closest to the Earth. While it is one of your best chances to spot the dwarf planet this year, a telescope is still handy as it could still be quite hard to see without equipment. July wildlife watch During the summer months, it is not uncommon to spot pods of dolphins along our coastlines. They are inquisitive creatures, so you may have a better chance of seeing them if you can get on the water in a boat or kayak. July brings the first of the autumn bird migrants south. Keep an eye out for small gulls, Mediterranean gulls and the black-headed gull. July is also good month to spot puffins, as they will be busy feeding their chicks. Remember it is important to avoid getting too close and not to disturb the birds during breeding season. In terms of our flora, white sea campion can be found coating our coastal cliffs. Banks and hedgerows can be full of small blue sheep's-bit and honeysuckle at this time of year, while galingale flower and bog pimpernel may be spotted in damp meadows. The Eiffel Tower in Paris grows taller on a hot day - this is because it is made of iron which expands in warm weather. It can grow by up to 17cm. July Fact File Average daily maximum temperature: 22.0°C in Jersey 19.6°C in Guernsey Average daily sunshine hours: 8.8 in Jersey 8.2 in Guernsey Average daily rainfall total: 1.46mm in Jersey 1.39mm in Guernsey Dates for the diary 9 July, 22 July (+ 5 August) - scientists predict some of our shortest days on record 10 July - Full 'buck' moon 12 July - Sark to Jersey rowing race 12 July - Delta Aquariid meteor shower begins 18 and 19 July - Sark sheep racing 25 July - Pluto reaches 'perigee' 28 July - Delta Aquariid meteor shower peaks Want the inside track on the key issues that will shape Guernsey's Election this June? Listen to Guernsey Votes, an ITV Channel podcast packed with expert guests, local insight and analysis you can trust...
The South African
10-07-2025
- Science
- The South African
Here's why Wednesday may have been the shortest day of your life
Wednesday, 9 July could have been the shortest day of your life – literally. Earth's rotation has been accelerating, and this week's date is among several projected to be fractions of a millisecond shorter than usual. Atomic clock measurements show that 9 July, 22 July and 5 August are expected to be between 1.3 and 1.51 milliseconds shorter than the standard 24-hour day – an unusual but increasingly frequent phenomenon. The shortest day on record occurred on 5 July 2024, when Earth completed its rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than the standard solar day of 86 400 seconds. While the cause isn't fully understood, scientists say the acceleration could be influenced by several natural forces: Melting glaciers , shifting mass away from the poles , shifting mass away from the poles Changes in atmospheric pressure and wind patterns Motion in Earth's molten core A weakening magnetic field According to Graham Jones, an astrophysicist at the University of London, and data from the US Naval Observatory, the Earth's Length of Day (LOD) is being monitored to millisecond accuracy by atomic clocks, which track the vibrations of atoms to keep time. 'Earth's spin is like a figure skater – when mass is pulled in, it spins faster,' explained Richard Holme, a geophysicist at the University of Liverpool. Seasonal changes in mass distribution – like trees leafing out during northern summers – can also subtly shift the planet's rotational balance. Although these time differences are imperceptible to humans, they have critical implications for: GPS navigation systems Telecommunications Financial transaction timing Satellite operations Tiny time discrepancies can lead to technical glitches in highly synchronised systems. Traditionally, scientists adjust for Earth's slower spin by occasionally adding a leap second to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). But if Earth's faster spin continues, we may eventually need to remove a second – creating a 'negative leap second' for the first time in history. Ironically, while Earth's spin has sped up in recent years, long-term trends predict the opposite. The moon's gravitational pull is slowly causing Earth to spin more slowly. According to geoscientist Stephen Meyers, Earth days could stretch to 25 hours – but not for another 200 million years. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Fast Company
09-07-2025
- Science
- Fast Company
Earth is about to break its own speed record – here's why
The Earth is pretty good at keeping its pace. However, variations do happen. And on three separate days this summer — July 9, July 22, and August 5 — the Earth will spin notably faster than usual. Of course, you're not likely to feel dizzy or notice the shift at all, but scientists are well aware of the shift. They say that over a 24-hour period, the Earth's rotation will take a few milliseconds less than it usually does — about 1.3 to 1.51 milliseconds less, to be exact. It's faster than the blink of an eye or a heartbeat, but it's significant, either way. Why is Earth spinning faster now? 24 hours (86,400 seconds), or a full day, is the time it takes for the Earth to rotate fully on its axis. That exact rotation speed depends on a number of factors, including the Earth's mass, as well as its distance from the moon. With the moon closer to the poles, the Earth's spin speeds up. On the days the Earth's rotation is set to speed up, the moon will be at its furthest distance from Earth's equator, altering the impact of its gravitational pull on Earth's axis. Richard Holme, a geophysicist at the University of Liverpool, said, per Live Science, ''There is more land in the northern hemisphere than the south. In northern summer, the trees get leaves, this means that mass is moved from the ground to above the ground — further away from the Earth's spin axis.' Thus, it will spin faster. Interestingly, while the Earth had been gradually speeding up on the regular, climate change has impacted the Earth's rotation in a major way. It's actually caused it to slow down. A 2024 study published in Nature pointed to the melting of the polar ice caps as a significant factor in the Earth's decelerated pace. At the time, Professor Duncan Agnew, from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and author of the study explained it by using the example of a skater spinning on ice. 'If they hold their arms out, their spinning is slower, but if they bring them into their body, then they speed up. This demonstrates the conservation of angular momentum, a principle which applies to all spinning objects, including the Earth.' He continued, 'As polar ice melts, the water spreads out over the whole ocean, causing the same effect as the skater spreading their arms out — the Earth slows down. More rapid melting would slow the Earth more rapidly, opposing the speedup that has been seen in recent years.' Experts began measuring the speed at which the Earth rotates in the 1950s. While variations in speed are not uncommon, the shortest day ever recorded happened just last year on July 5, 2024. On that day, the Earth completed its full rotation 1.66 milliseconds faster than usual. Experts believe July 9, 2025 may break the previously set record.
