Earth is on the brink of a historic event that could disrupt our perception of time. For the first time in history, experts warn that we may lose a precious second from our clocks.
The never-happen-before event has surprised and worried scientists and timekeepers all over the world.
Experts warn Earth is going to lose a second for the first time in history
Recent research suggests that the Earth's rotational speed has increased, leading to the proposal of subtracting a second from our standard timekeeping systems.
While we are accustomed to the concept of adjusting clocks during daylight saving time, this adjustment would be an unprecedented phenomenon, often referred to as a "negative leap second."
The consequences of this change should be taken seriously.
Picture a situation where the clock shows 11:58, and instead of reaching 11:59:59, it suddenly jumps to midnight.
This sudden shift would surely disturb our understanding of time and necessitate modifications in many aspects of our everyday routines.
How do scientists explain this historical phenomenon?
Duncan Agnew, a geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, highlights the exceptional nature of this circumstance.
While the increase in Earth's rotation speed does not present an immediate danger, it signifies the unusual era we are experiencing.
Agnew explains that acceleration is caused by the unpredictable behavior of Earth's "liquid" core. However, he points out that the melting ice at the poles has balanced out this effect, reducing its noticeable consequences.
Another expert, glaciologist Massimo Frezzotti, brings an interesting viewpoint to the conversation.
He emphasizes how the melting glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica affect the distribution of mass and the shape of our planet.
According to him, Earth is not a perfect sphere but a geoid. It is this shifting mass distribution that plays a role in the variations of Earth's rotation speed.
