On August 5, the Earth could spin slightly faster than normal, potentially creating the third-shortest day ever recorded. Though the change would be unnoticeable to people, experts say it could be a sign of unexpected shifts in Earth’s rotation.
According to international timekeeping agencies, including the US Naval Observatory, the Earth is expected to complete its daily spin 1.25 milliseconds faster than average. While this may seem minor, it has captured the attention of scientists worldwide.
Initially, it was estimated that the day would be 1.51 milliseconds shorter, but the updated forecast suggests a slightly lesser increase in speed.
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This rare phenomenon has happened before. On 30 June 2022 and 5 July 2024, similar speeding up occurred, with the July 2024 record still standing at 1.66 milliseconds shorter than a typical day.
Experts believe the Moon’s gravitational pull might be influencing Earth’s spin. When the Moon moves away from the equator, especially toward the north or south, it can affect the Earth’s rotation. On August 5, the Moon is more aligned with Earth’s southern side, which may be contributing to the acceleration.
The idea of Earth speeding up surprises many, as the long-term trend has been the opposite. Over millions of years, Earth’s rotation has been gradually slowing. Even in modern times, records since 1973 suggest a steady decline—until now.
