The mysterious acceleration of the earth intrigues scientists

Each summer, we enjoy long light evenings. However, a discreet phenomenon is played under our feet: The earth turns faster and faster. However, In recent years, some days have been Until a shorter millisecond that the usual 24 hours. Consequently, Behind this acceleration hide multiple causes … Meanwhile, and sometimes surprising.

How precision instruments reveal a record summer for terrestrial speed – Mysterious acceleration earth intrigues scientists

On July 9, our planet broke a record: 1.34 MULLISECOND LESS than a standard day. Moreover, According to the United States Naval Observatory. Moreover, the international land rotation service, two other dates, on mysterious acceleration earth intrigues scientists July 22 and August 5, are also among The shortest days ever recorded.

These measures rely on Atomic clockspecifies in the billionth of a second. For ten years, the average duration of one day has been decreasing. But the phenomenon has further accentuated in the past five years. “” Some days now spend a full 24 hours “Confirms Nicholas Stamatakos, astronomer.

The three major factors that accelerate the rotation of our planet – Mysterious acceleration earth intrigues scientists

Several mechanisms work together. The moon, firstexerts a variable gravitational influence. Twice a month, when it is close to the equator, it slightly slows down the earth. Conversely, when it approaches the poles, it helps our planet to turn faster.

The atmosphere, thenalso plays its role. In summer, the Jet Stream moves slower. To mysterious acceleration earth intrigues scientists maintain the balance of its kinetic moment, the earth compensates by accelerating its rotation.

Finally, the terrestrial nucleus intrigues. The data shows that it has slowed down in the past fifty years. To maintain the overall balance, the planet’s external layers had to accelerate slightly. “” We do not know why this slowdown started, or how long it will last Acknowledges the geophysicist Duncan Agnew.

The technological consequences of a shorter day than expected

For us, losing one millisecond per day is imperceptible. But for astronomers and engineers, it changes everything. A cumulative gap between astronomical time et atomic weather Sometimes obliges to add -. soon to withdraw – an “inter -school second”.

Since 1972, twenty-seven seconds interlayer has been added to compensate for the overall slowdown in the land. But mysterious acceleration earth intrigues scientists the current acceleration could lead, by 2029, to The first second interlayer negative of history. A real headache for GPS, telecommunications networks and IT systems, which all assume that time never decreases.

When the. climate could reverse the current rotation trend

To this already complex mixture is added an increasingly important factor: Climate change. The melting of the ice. the rise of the seas and the exhaustion of the water tables modify the distribution of the earthly mass, which tends to to slow down Rotation.

For researchers, it makes any forecast beyond six very uncertain months. One thing is certain: the sun will rise tomorrow. But no one can guarantee how long it will remain above the horizon.