Our planet is spinning unusually fast this summer due to changes in the position of the moon. (Image credit: joecicak/Getty Images)
Wednesday (July 9) is predicted to be an unusually short day, with the day being 1.3 milliseconds shorter as the Earth spins faster on its axis. But even shorter days are on the way: according to timeanddate.com, July 22 and August 5 will be 1.38 and 1.52 milliseconds shorter, respectively. But why are some days getting shorter this summer, and how will it affect us?
Why is the Earth spinning faster?
One day on Earth lasts about 86,400 seconds, or 24 hours—the time it takes the planet to rotate completely on its axis. However, the speed of this rotation depends on many factors, including the position of the Sun and Moon, as well as the Earth's gravitational field.
On July 9, July 22, and August 5, 2025, the Moon will be at its farthest distance from the equator, changing the way its gravity affects the Earth's rotation. Think of the Earth as a top: If you wrap your fingers around the middle and spin it, it will spin more slowly than if you held it by the top and bottom. The same thing happens with the Earth: the closer the Moon is to the poles, the faster the Earth spins, shortening our days.
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