A Matter of Degrees, Pt. 2

[Michael Baum]

>From: 	Scott Badger
>
>I seem to remember reading somewhere (in a book by Stephen Gould I
>think) that the earth's rotation is, and has been, slowing down.  A
>"day", now, is longer than in the distant past 

Right. Generally ascribed to effects of tidal forces. In theory, the 
earth could speed up as well some years, but I don't believe that's 
been observed. The gradually slowing down of the earth is the reason 
for the more-or-less annual addition of "leap seconds" to the year, 
usually at the end of December or June.

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Michael Baum   <michael.baum at nist.gov>  (301) 975-2763
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