Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Earth's Faster Spin May Trigger Time Adjustment
The Earth is spinning a little faster now.
Because of this, scientists might need to take a second away from our official time, which is very unusual.
Normally, they add seconds to keep time accurate.
This change is because of things like the moon's pull and climate change.
If the Earth keeps spinning faster, we might have a 'negative leap second' in the future.
It's like the Earth is on fast forward a tiny bit, and timekeepers are figuring out how to adjust for it.
Earth's rotation has sped up, with some days shorter by milliseconds.
Scientists may need to subtract a second from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
This 'negative leap second' would be a first in history.
The Earth's rotation is affected by factors like the moon and climate change.
Experts estimate a 40% chance of a negative leap second by 2035.
- Who
- Scientists and timekeepers globally are monitoring the situation.
- What
- Earth's rotation has sped up, possibly requiring a negative leap second.
- When
- Days have been shorter recently, with a potential need for changes by 2035.
- Where
- International timekeepers are addressing the issue.
- Why
- Changes in Earth's rotation due to factors like the moon, atmosphere, and climate change necessitate time adjustments.
- Shortest Day Recorded
- July 10, 1.36 milliseconds less than 24 hours
- Typical Day Length
- 86,400 seconds
- Leap Seconds Added Since 1972
- 27
- Probability of Negative Leap Second by 2035
- 40%