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Earth Records One of Its Shortest Days on July 9

Precision timekeepers warn this acceleration trend may require an unprecedented negative leap second to keep atomic clocks in sync.

El 9 de julio de 2025 podría convertirse en uno de los días más cortos registrados, debido a una aceleración en la rotación de la Tierra detectada en los últimos años/Foto: Archivo GH
Este 9 de julio es uno de los dias más cortos en la historia de la Tierra (Imagen ilustrativa)
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Overview

  • Atomic-clock data project that July 9 will be about 1.30 milliseconds shorter than the standard 24 hours, reinforcing an ongoing acceleration since 2020.
  • Scientists are monitoring precision systems such as GPS and telecommunications for potential timing errors caused by the shortened day.
  • For the first time, experts are considering a negative leap second to subtract time from civil clocks if the acceleration persists.
  • Similar brief days are forecast for July 22 and August 5, with rotations estimated between 1.30 and 1.51 milliseconds shorter.
  • Research continues into core, oceanic, atmospheric, and lunar influences behind the acceleration, with projections indicating a future deceleration phase.