By Wanique Block
Time is flying, literally!
As we all know, planet Earth completes one full rotation on its axis every 24 hours. Every single rotation marks the start and end of one day.
This year, however, on the 29th of June 2022 Scientists have noticed planet Earth’s shortest day since the 1960s, arriving 1,59 milliseconds sooner than expected.
You thought that was alarming, wait until you hear this…
The 26th of July 2022 has now been recorded as the shortest day ever, ending 1,50 milliseconds earlier.
So why is Earth spinning faster than usual?
Scientists have not pin-pointed reasons for this, but they have however noted various possible reasons for this:
- “Chandler Wobble” this refers to the natural shifting of the Earth’s axis due to the planet not being perfectly spherical.
- Global warming resulting in the changes in our climate and climate systems, where the melting and freezing of glaciers or strong winds could result in the shifting weights pulling on the Earth.
- Earthquakes could move mass toward the centre of the Earth.
- Ocean tides and circulation resulting in the pressure pulling onto the Earth’s axis.
- Earth’s molten core possibly shifting the mass of Earth.
How all these factors affect the lengths of our days still remains a mystery. Should we be worried, for now only time will tell.
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