In an unusual turn of events, scientists and world timekeepers are contemplating the idea of subtracting a second from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) due to Earth’s faster rotation.
Earth’s Rotation Accelerating
Recent data shows that Earth’s rotation has picked up pace this season, with some days being slightly shorter than the usual 24-hour period, as reported by CNN.
Potential Impact
Even a minor change in the Earth’s rotation can disrupt critical systems like satellites, GPS, and global communication networks.
For the first time in history, there is talk of a hypothetical “negative leap second” being introduced.
Recent Observations
On July 10, it was noted that the day was 1.36 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours, making it the shortest day of the year so far, according to Time And Date.
The moon’s tidal friction has been slowing down Earth’s rotation over the years. However, current data suggests a faster spin than before.
Time Correction Needed
If the acceleration continues, global timekeepers may have to consider subtracting a full second from the world time.
Since 1972, leap seconds have been added 27 times to adjust for Earth’s varying rotation. The concept of a negative leap second, which accelerates UTC by one second, has never been used before.
Experts estimate a 40% chance of this adjustment taking place by 2035.
Factors Affecting Rotation
Multiple factors like seasonal atmospheric changes, lunar gravitational pull, and Earth’s molten core movements contribute to Earth’s changing rotation speed.
The moon’s presence and tides have the most immediate impact on Earth’s spin, causing fluctuations based on its position.
Climate change also plays a role, with melting ice in polar regions affecting mass distribution and altering rotation speed.
Expert Insights
Duncan Agnew, a research geophysicist, likens observing Earth’s rotation to monitoring the stock market, noting long-term trends and occasional fluctuations.
As Earth’s rotation continues to evolve, the need for potential time adjustments becomes a topic of growing interest and importance.
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