· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A study suggests the world may experience its first "negative leap second" around 2029 due to the Earth rotating faster, an effect partly offset by climate change
• Without global warming, this adjustment might have occurred in 2026
🔭 The context: Earth's rotation has sped up because of its hot liquid core's dynamics and the melting of polar ice due to human-driven climate change, which has slightly slowed this acceleration
• Timekeeping experts find themselves navigating uncharted territory, as the potential need for a negative leap second emerges.
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This development highlights the intricate ways in which climate change impacts our world, extending even to the realm of global timekeeping
• The slowing effect of melting ice on Earth's rotation serves as another stark reminder of our changing planet
⏭️ What's next: The discussion on implementing a negative leap second underscores broader challenges in global timekeeping amidst technological advancements and environmental changes
• The decision will impact various sectors, including technology and astronomy
💬 One quote: "This is an unprecedented situation and a big deal," said Duncan Agnew, study lead author and geophysicist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
📈 One stat: Between 1972 and 2016, 27 leap seconds were added to account for Earth's slowing rotation, but now we face the possibility of subtracting time.
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