As we welcome the longest day of the year, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on why our seasons persist for six months. The reason lies in the Earth’s tilt, which affects the amount of sunlight we receive throughout the year.
The tilt, about 23.5 degrees off vertical, was likely caused by a large object that formed the Moon and created debris. This constant tilt means that one hemisphere is closer to the Sun during half the year, resulting in longer days.
But did you know that our days have actually been getting longer over time? The Earth’s rotation is slowing down due to the Moon’s gradual movement away from the planet. This process has continued for 1.4 billion years, with our current day length increasing by about 74 thousandths of a second per year.
However, this phenomenon is insignificant compared to the Sun’s eventual transformation into a red giant in six to seven billion years. At that point, the Sun will expand and engulf the inner planets, including Earth.
Despite this looming fate, scientists have predicted that Saturn’s moon Triton could become a habitable destination for humanity’s refugees. With the increasing temperature, the habitable zone will shift, making Triton an attractive option in the distant future.
(Note: The second part of the text about the Earth’s “Wobble,” magnetic fields, and moving North Pole has been excluded to maintain focus on the main topic.)
Source: https://www.voicenewspapers.co.uk/opinion/fred-knobbit-the-days-will-get-longer-752933