In a rare astronomical occurrence, Earth is expected to complete its rotation slightly quicker than usual on Tuesday, July 22, making it one of the shortest days ever recorded.
This marginal time shift — just 1.34 milliseconds shorter than the standard 24-hour day — is imperceptible to us but holds scientific significance. Experts say this subtle speed-up is part of an unusual trend in the planet’s rotational dynamics that has raised eyebrows in recent years.
If the acceleration continues, scientists may be forced to implement a “negative leap second” by around 2029 — a never-before-attempted adjustment that would involve subtracting a second from atomic timekeeping to maintain precision.