As of today, July 9, 2025, Earth is experiencing one of the shortest days ever recorded—and it's only the beginning. Following today’s exceptionally brief rotation, similar millisecond-shortened days ...

Earth rotates once in about 24 hours with respect to the Sun, but once every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds with respect to other distant stars. Scientists call this difference crucial to ...

Earth takes 24 hours to complete a full rotation in a standard day, equal to exactly 86,400 seconds. July 9 was the first of three days in which a millisecond or more could be shaved off the clock on ...

If you’re the kind of person who gets a lot done, you’re grateful for every one of the 86,400 seconds that make up a day. On July 9, however, as well as on July 22, and August 5, you won’t get your ...

During its initial molten phase, the Moon experienced tidal bulges on its near and far sides due to Earth's immense gravitational pull. The Moon's rotation initially carried these gravitationally ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. An award-winning reporter writing about stargazing and the night sky. Earth could be about to record its fastest-ever rotation.

Though decades have passed since the Space Race took place, Earth’s moon remains the only place beyond our planet where humans have set foot. As the brightest and largest object in our night sky, the ...