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Negative Leap Second

All articles tagged with #negative leap second

Earth's Rotation Accelerates, Making July 9, 2025, Possibly the Shortest Day Ever

Originally Published 6 months ago — by Times of India

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Source: Times of India

On July 9, 2025, Earth will experience one of its shortest days since 1960, finishing about 1.3 to 1.6 milliseconds early due to the planet's accelerated rotation, influenced by factors like the Moon's orbit and shifts in Earth's mass distribution. This short-term change is part of a series of days in 2025 with slightly faster spins, prompting scientists to monitor future data for potential negative leap seconds to keep atomic time aligned with Earth's rotation. The phenomenon is scientifically significant but poses no practical risk to daily life, aiding in climate modeling and satellite navigation research.

"Melting Polar Ice and Human Activities: How Climate Change is Altering Time Measurement"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR

Featured image for "Melting Polar Ice and Human Activities: How Climate Change is Altering Time Measurement"
Source: NPR

Climate change is affecting the Earth's rotation, potentially delaying the need for a "negative leap second" until 2029, according to a new study. Leap seconds, added to reconcile traditional time with atomic clocks, have caused disruptions in interconnected systems. The Earth's rotation, influenced by factors including climate change, is now gradually getting faster, complicating timekeeping. The potential for a negative leap second poses unprecedented challenges for timekeepers and technology systems, prompting discussions on potential solutions.