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03:57 GMT 09.01.2021Short url
Scientists around the world have noticed that the Earth is spinning faster than usual, and this is why by 2020 some days are shorter than normal.
For most of human history, time has been defined by a 24-hour day / night cycle, with some distractions occurring, for example a change in seasons.
The cycle depends on the speed at which the planet rotates along its own axis. For this reason, the length of the day is standardized and estimated. 86,400 secondsThe day / night cycles are relatively constant, although they are usually slightly different.
Over the decades, the development of the atomic clock has enabled specialists to record an incredibly gradual passage of time, making it possible to measure the length of a given day up to milliseconds. That led to the discovery that planetary rotations are more variable than previously thought.
From the start of these measurements, scientists have discovered that the Earth is slowly turning, but by 2020 everything has changed and it starts to spin faster.
The researchers noted that July 19, 2020 The shortest day in history was recorded, that is 1.4602 ms Shorter than standard
Scientists are not worried about the new findings, as they have learned that many factors influence planetary rotation, including moon orbit, snow levels and mountain erosion.
Experts have also begun to wonder if global warming could drive the planet faster when layers of snow and glaciers in altitude begin to disappear.