The Day That Ended Too Soon: Earth’s Record Spin

On July 22, 2025, Earth recorded its second-shortest day in history, spinning 1.34 milliseconds faster than the standard 24 hours.

Scientists say the unusual speed-up is due to a combination of factors: the moon’s distant position, shifting air currents, and changes deep inside Earth’s core.

While such a tiny time difference isn’t noticeable in daily life, it could cause serious problems for GPS, financial systems, and global timekeeping.

Experts are now debating whether to introduce a “negative leap second”—something that has never been done before.

Back