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If you feel that days fly, it is not just a perception of yours. Our planet is turning faster than normal. This July 22 is expected to complete its rotation 1.34 milliseconds before 24 hours, turning today the second shortest day of the year and one of the shortest since we have records.
Earth accelerates. Until 2020, the shortest day registered had lasted 24 hours less 1.05 milliseconds. Since then, The shortest day of each year has overcome that threshold. In 2020 and 2021, the highest deviation was −1.47 ms; in 2022, of −1.59 ms; In 2023 he rose to −1.31 ms and in 2024 he came down again, marking the current record. The shortest day ever documented occurred on July 5 of last year. He lacked 1.66 ms to complete 24 hours.
2025 silver medal. The predictions for the summer of 2025 They pointed out three key dates in which Earth’s rotation could beat its speed record: on July 9, July 22 and August 5. Finally, the shortest day of 2025 was on July 10 with a deviation of -1.36 ms. According to the latest estimates, this July 22 will be the second most short day with a duration of 24 hours -1.34 ms. On August 5 it would be third with a -1.25 ms.
The world upside down. The really fascinating thing about this phenomenon is that it goes against everything we know about the rotation of our planet. For billions of years, the land has been stopping for the friction of the tides generated by the moon. Our satellite steals rotational energy to the planet, causing the days increasingly long. In fact, it is believed that during much of the history of the earth, the days lasted about 19 hours.
Why it happens. We don’t know. Some researchers They attribute it to the thaw of polar capsbut the redistribution of that mass of water to Ecuador could actually be moderating the acceleration, not driving it.
Earth’s acceleration has no place in any of the oceanic and atmospheric models, so the scientific community suspects mainly from the depths of the planet. One possibility is that the liquid nucleus of the earth is slowing down its movement and, to preserve the angular momentum of the planet, this internal slowdown is being compensated With a slight acceleration of the mantle and the cortexwhich is what we experience on the surface.
The second intercalar … negative. Earth’s acceleration has implications for time measurement. Since 1973, atomic watches mark the coordinated universal time (UTC). Occasionally, A “second interlar” has been added To resolve our watches with the terrestrial rotation, which Historically, he slowed down.
Now, we face an unprecedented scenario: the need for a second negative intercala. If the acceleration trend continues, world timing could have to subtract a second of atomic watches Around 2029. It would be the first time in history that this type’s correction is made.
Image | POT
In Xataka | We know since time immemorial that the days last 24 hours. Except when the wind blows
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