/ 02 August 2022

Going back in time

Image source: Unsplash
Image source: Unsplash

If you’ve felt like the days are shorter than usual – and yes, we are in the middle of winter – but the clocks are slightly out on time. On 29 June, Earth had its shortest day on record after completing a full rotation in 1.59 milliseconds less than its usual 24 hours. Basically, scientists reckon Earth’s average rotational speed decreases over time, which has seen 27 ‘leap seconds’ – or 1-second adjustments – added to the clock since the 1970s. But in recent years, the phenomenon has reversed, and that could see clocks forced to turn back to compensate. Scientists aren’t 100% sure what’s causing it, but some attribute it to the ‘Chandler Wobble’, which is when things like the tides, the moon and even climate change affect the speed our Earth rotates on its axis. While a few milliseconds doesn’t sound like much, it can throw satellites and navigational systems out of whack. Sadly, it doesn’t account for why we’re perennially 5 minutes late for everything…

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