A study by researchers at the Technical University of Munich in Germany reports that Earth’s rotation is gradually slowing, and if this trend continues for millions of years, a day could eventually last 25 hours instead of 24.
The study used a ring laser in southern Germany to detect tiny changes in Earth’s rotation. Over a two-week observation period, researchers recorded a cumulative difference of roughly six milliseconds in the length of a day.
Advanced Laser Technology Detects Subtle Changes in Earth’s Spin
The device sits six meters underground and uses lasers and mirrors to detect tiny rotational changes.
Researchers explain that the slowing of Earth’s rotation is driven by multiple factors. One is the Moon’s gradual drift away from Earth—about 3.8 centimeters each year—which directly impacts the planet’s spin. Another is Earth’s internal structure, with its mix of solid and liquid layers influencing rotational stability.
Despite common assumptions, Earth does not rotate at a perfectly constant rate and is continually experiencing small variations.
Earth’s Rotation Data Key to Climate and Weather Research
Scientists say that analyzing these rotational variations is crucial not only for astronomy but also for fields like climate science and meteorology.
“Changes in Earth’s rotation matter far beyond astronomy. This information is vital for improving climate models and for better understanding events such as El Niño,” said Ulrich Schreiber, the project lead at the TUM observatory.
Researchers also note that longer days are not a new phenomenon in Earth’s history. In the age of the dinosaurs, a day lasted roughly 23 hours, and about 1.4 billion years ago, Earth spun even faster, with days lasting just 18 hours and 41 minutes.
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