Earth Is spinning faster now than it was 50 years ago
Earth's spin rate has increased in the last half-century. And compensating for the lost time may prove challenging for scientists.
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Earth's spin rate has increased in the last half-century. And compensating for the lost time may prove challenging for scientists.
Ever feel like there's just not enough time in the day? Turns out, you might be onto something. Earth is rotating faster than it has in the last half-century, resulting in our days being ever-so-slightly shorter than we're used to. And while it's...
World timekeepers have decreed there will be no leap second on December 31, 2021. Overall the spin of Earth is slowing down, but in 2020 it sped up.
Recent changes in the speed at which the Earth rotates may result in the need for a negative leap second. One expert explains what this is, and how it impacts timekeeping on Earth.
Now, UK National Physical Laboratory scientist, Peter Whibberley, has warned that if the rotation rate increases further, a negative leap second may be needed.