EARTH ROTATION
Simplified and Detailed Version
Introduction
• Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the
only known planet with life.
• • Circumference: 40,232 km
• • Area: 510 million sq. km
• • Distance from Sun: 149 million km
• • Shape: Flattened at poles, bulged at equator
• • Two main movements: Rotation (daily) and
Revolution (yearly)
Earth Rotation
• Earth rotates around an imaginary axis passing
through the poles.
• • Rotates west to east
• • Completes one rotation in 23h 56m 40s
• • Speed: 1667 km/h at equator, 0 at poles
• • Speed decreases towards poles due to
smaller circumference
Earth Rotation Parameters
• Earth’s rotation is not perfectly uniform.
• Influences:
• • Gravitational pull of Sun and Moon
• • Core and mantle interaction
• • Mass movement (air, water)
• Effects:
• • Precession
Polar Motion
• • Polar motion = movement of Earth’s axis
compared to surface
• • Measured using VLBI, GPS, SLR, DORIS
Precession
• • Slow circular change in direction of Earth’s
axis
• • Takes about 26,000 years to complete one
cycle
Nutation
• • Small, faster wobbling of Earth’s axis
International Earth Rotation
Service (IERS)
• • Established in 1988 by IAG & IAU
• • Provides:
• - International Celestial Reference Frame
(ICRF)
• - International Terrestrial Reference Frame
(ITRF)
• - Earth Orientation Parameters (EOPs)
• • Defines Reference Pole (IRP) & Reference
Meridian (IRM)
Effect of Increased Rotation Speed
• If Earth rotated faster:
• • Days and nights shorter
• • Centrifugal force increases → weight
decreases
• • Less heating time → temperature changes
Rotation and Its Effects
• • Rotation: west to east in 23h 56m 4s
• • Axis tilted
• Effects:
• 1. Causes day and night
• 2. Earth’s shape flattened at poles
• 3. Affects tides and winds
• 4. Winds deflect right (N. Hemisphere), left (S.
Hemisphere)
Inclination of Earth’s Axis
• • Earth tilted at 23.5°
• Effects:
• • Different lengths of day and night
• • Sun’s height used to measure time
• • Causes seasons
• • Without tilt → equal days/nights and one
season everywhere
Revolution of Earth
• • Earth moves around Sun in elliptical orbit
• • Speed: 29.8 km/s
• • Closest point: Perihelion
• • Farthest point: Aphelion
• • Revolution time: 365 days 5h 48m 45s
• • Leap year every 4 years adjusts calendar
Effects of Revolution
• • Causes seasons
• • Creates heat zones:
• - Torrid Zone (hot)
• - Temperate Zone (moderate)
• - Frigid Zone (cold)
• • Perihelion & Aphelion affect speed and
temperature
Solstices and Equinoxes
• • Equinoxes (Mar 21, Sep 23): Equal day &
night
• • Summer Solstice (Jun 21): Longest day in
Northern Hemisphere
• • Winter Solstice (Dec 21): Shortest day in
Northern Hemisphere
• • Opposite in Southern Hemisphere
Angle of Incidence & Twilight
• • Sun rays angle affects heat received
• • Direct rays (Equator) = hot, slanting rays
(Poles) = cold
• Twilight:
• • Short at Equator
• • Very long at poles (can last weeks)
• • Dawn = light before sunrise
• • Dusk = light before sunset