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Speed of Earth

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Our planet usually [blank] 24 hours to rotate on its axis [blank] not anymore. On July 29, Earth's full spin was 1.50 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours, which means Earth experienced its shortest day ever. However, this wasn't just a one-time fluke. Earth has been in a hurry [blank] recent years. As per International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems (IERS), in 2020, Earth recorded 28 shortest days. Earth's faster rotation could affect our clocks. The time that you and your mobile phone live by is dictated [blank] Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). It is responsible for setting your time zone. This time, also known as astronomical time, is dependent on how long it takes for Earth to complete one rotation. [blank] the rotation speed picks up, people who watch the Earth's rotation and world's clock for a living, will have to introduce a leap second to keep up with Earth's pace and synchronize clocks with it.

Sample Answer & Audio Transcript

Our planet usually takes 24 hours to rotate on its axis but not anymore. On July 29, Earth's full spin was 1.50 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours, which means Earth experienced its shortest day ever. However, this wasn't just a one-time fluke. Earth has been in a hurry in recent years. As per International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems (IERS), in 2020, Earth recorded 28 shortest days. Earth's faster rotation could affect our clocks. The time that you and your mobile phone live by is dictated by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). It is responsible for setting your time zone. This time, also known as astronomical time, is dependent on how long it takes for Earth to complete one rotation. As the rotation speed picks up, people who watch the Earth's rotation and world's clock for a living, will have to introduce a leap second to keep up with Earth's pace and synchronize clocks with it.
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