Have you ever wondered what makes day and night happen? It’s all because Earth spins like a top — once every 24 hours. But here’s something amazing: scientists have discovered that Earth’s spin is slowing down! That means our days are getting longer — very slowly, but it’s really happening.
The Great Slowdown: What’s Going On?
Long ago, a day on Earth lasted just 18 hours. Now, it’s 24 hours. In the future, it might be 25 hours! Earth is slowly spinning more slowly — like a top winding down.
One big reason is the Moon. It pulls on Earth’s oceans, creating tides. This pull stretches Earth’s surface, and the energy used to make those tides slows Earth’s spin bit by bit.
But guess what? The Moon isn’t staying still either — it’s drifting away from Earth! Every year, the Moon moves about 3.8 centimeters farther away. As it escapes Earth’s gravity, its pull gets weaker, and that also changes how Earth spins. So not only is Earth slowing down — the Moon is slipping away, causing even more changes!
There’s more! Melting ice at the North and South Poles is shifting water toward the equator. This changes Earth’s shape slightly, making it harder to spin — just like a skater slows down with arms outstretched.
Deep inside Earth is the inner core, a super-hot ball of metal. Scientists now think it’s spinning a bit slower too, which may also affect Earth’s rotation, though we’re still learning more about it.
Why It Matters
Don’t panic — this isn’t going to change your bedtime! The change is so small it takes hundreds of years to add just one second to our day. But scientists and computers care a lot — they have to adjust clocks, GPS systems, and even satellites to keep things working smoothly.
Earth’s Silent Dance
Earth may feel still, but it’s spinning, changing, and dancing with the Moon every single day. The idea that Earth’s spin is slowing — and the Moon is floating away — shows how amazing and alive our planet really is.
So next time you look up at the Moon, just imagine it gently waving goodbye… one tiny step at a time!
References:
- https://www.sciencealert.com/earths-rotation-is-slowing-down-and-it-might-explain-why-we-have-oxygen?
- https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230303-how-the-moon-is-making-days-longer-on-earth?
- https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/marvelMoon/background/moon-influence/?
