Day lengthening is a result of polar ice melting brought on by climate change.

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The invisible impact of climate change:

How melting ice is slowing Earth's rotation Climate change, which is often discussed in terms of rising temperatures and extreme weather events, has a wide-reaching impact that extends to regions we don't notice. One such surprising impact is the effect of melting polar ice sheets on Earth's rotation. Researchers have found that as polar ice melts, Earth's rotation slows down, an effect that, although very small, can have significant implications for our technological and time measurement systems. Understanding Earth's rotation change The process behind this change is rooted in a basic physics principle called "conservation of angular momentum." This principle explains that as the ice melts and moves toward the equator, Earth's rotation slows down. To understand this, imagine an ice skater who is spinning with his hands outstretched. When he contracts his hands, he spins faster; when he spreads them, he spins slower. Similarly, as polar ice melts and redistributes, Earth's shape and rotation speed also adjust.

Melting ice contributes to the Earth's sphericity, causing a slight bulge around the equator, explains Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi, a geophysicist at ETH Zurich. This changes the moment of precession, causing the planet's rotation to slow down.

The effects of slowing rotation

Recent studies, which analyze data from the last 200 years, show that climate change has caused the Earth's rotation to slow by about 1.3 milliseconds per century. If high emissions scenarios continue, this slowing could double to 2.6 milliseconds per century. While this may seem trivial, even small changes can affect our extremely precise time measurement systems.

Duncan Agnews, emeritus professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, says this shift, even if small, highlights the profound effects of climate change. Precise time measurement technologies such as GPS, stock trading systems and space travel are crucial. The milliseconds added to this could affect these systems, demonstrating how climate change affects even the most fundamental aspects of our modern lives

The effects of slowing rotation

Call to Action

The evidence is clear: climate change is not just transforming our environment but also affecting the fundamental processes of our planet. Given these changes, it is imperative that we act swiftly to reduce emissions and control their impacts. The slowing of the Earth's rotation is a clear sign that our actions have far-reaching consequences. To avoid further disruption and protect our planet, we must accelerate the transition to sustainable practices and curb emissions. The time to act is now, before the consequences become even more profound and impossible to control.

DRDO conducts flight test of long-range glide bomb

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday conducted a successful first flight test of the long-range glide bomb (LRGB) Gaurav. The test was carried out off the coast of Odisha using Indian Air Force's Su-30 MK-I fighter jets.

Key Features of Gaurav

Gaurav is a 1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb, designed to attack targets at long ranges. The bomb uses a highly accurate hybrid navigation system to steer towards its target after launch.

Indigenously developed by DRDO

LRGB Gaurav was designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat, a DRDO facility in Hyderabad. During the test, Gaurav successfully hit the target with pinpoint accuracy, demonstrating its effectiveness.

Successful Test Execution

The glide bomb hit its intended target at Long Wheeler Island, marking a significant milestone in India's defence capabilities.