Scientists suggest that a day on Earth might extend to 25 hours in the future due to the Moon’s gradual drift away from our planet.

Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison indicates that the Moon is receding from Earth at a rate of approximately 3.8 centimeters per year. This phenomenon could result in Earth days lasting 25 hours in 200 million years. Historically, a day on Earth lasted just over 18 hours around 1.4 billion years ago.

Stephen Meyers, a professor in the geoscience department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, points to the gravitational interactions between Earth and the Moon as a primary cause. “As the Moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out,” explained Meyers.

Meyers and his team are using ‘astrochronology’ to study ancient geological processes. “We want to be able to study rocks that are billions of years old in a way that is comparable to how we study modern geologic processes,” he said.

The concept of the Moon’s recession is not new, but the Wisconsin research delves deeper into its historical and geological context. By examining ancient geological formations and sediment layers, researchers have tracked the Earth-Moon system over billions of years. They found that while the Moon’s current recession rate is relatively stable, it has fluctuated due to various factors such as Earth’s rotational speed and continental drift.

NASA, known for its groundbreaking discoveries, has once again astounded the world with its ability to observe plankton from space. The space agency’s latest endeavor, named PACE, or the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem satellite, was successfully launched today. This mission is designed to thoroughly investigate plankton and other microscopic elements, which are so minuscule that they remain invisible to the human eye, from hundreds of miles above Earth’s surface. The primary objective is to gain a deeper understanding of how these tiny components impact the entire planet.

In a statement released to the press, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his excitement, stating that PACE will provide unparalleled insights into how particles in Earth’s atmosphere and oceans contribute to global warming. Phytoplankton, in particular, play a crucial role in the world’s oceans. They are microscopic plants that perform photosynthesis, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. This ability to absorb carbon dioxide makes them invaluable allies in combating climate change.

Karen St. Germain, director of the earth science division at NASA Headquarters, emphasized the significance of PACE in advancing our understanding of the ocean’s role in the climate cycle. Moreover, plankton serve as the foundation of ocean food chains, making them vital for marine ecosystems and fisheries’ health. However, there are various species of phytoplankton, each with unique interactions with their environment, some of which can be harmful, such as toxic algal blooms known as red tides.

The PACE satellite is equipped with a hyperspectral ocean color instrument that will enable scientists to differentiate between phytoplankton species based on their unique colors, a capability never before achieved from space. This data will aid in identifying organisms and detecting changes in the sea that could impact ecosystems and coastal communities. Additionally, the spacecraft carries instruments to study atmospheric particles, specifically aerosols, which can influence air quality.

Meng Gao, PACE polarimetry data science and software lead, explained the importance of quantifying aerosols for human health. Furthermore, aerosol pollution cleanup efforts, while beneficial for air quality, may inadvertently accelerate global warming by reducing aerosol particles that reflect solar radiation back into space. PACE’s polarimeters will identify the types of aerosols present, aiding in climate model refinement.

Beyond its immediate scientific goals, PACE’s research may support innovative approaches, such as enhancing phytoplankton’s carbon dioxide absorption or exploring geoengineering solutions. However, these endeavors raise ethical and environmental concerns, as manipulating Earth’s atmosphere could have unforeseen consequences.

The PACE satellite, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 1:33AM ET Thursday, marks a significant milestone in NASA’s quest to unravel the mysteries of Earth’s ecosystems and climate.

NASA has revised the timeline for its crewed Artemis missions, which aim to transport humans to the Moon. Originally scheduled for later this year, the first mission, Artemis II, is now set to launch in September 2025 for an orbit around the Earth’s satellite. Subsequently, the landing mission, Artemis III, has been rescheduled for September 2026. Despite these adjustments, NASA confirms that the Artemis IV mission, intended to take humans to the lunar Gateway space station in 2028, remains unaffected.

These future missions are designed to “establish the foundation for long-term scientific exploration at the Moon” and achieve the historic milestones of landing the first woman and the first person of color on its surface. Employing NASA’s Space Launch System rocket, the Artemis missions have faced delays, similar to the setbacks experienced by the rocket itself before being deemed operational by NASA.

NASA cites safety concerns as the primary reason for the timeline shifts, emphasizing the need to address a battery issue and conduct work on circuitry related to environmental systems, including air ventilation. Recent reports indicate that NASA discovered a battery problem in the Lockheed Martin-built Orion capsule during vibration testing, necessitating replacement. Additionally, investigations are ongoing to understand why the capsule lost char layers during its 2022 reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.

The Artemis I mission in 2022, an uncrewed venture sending NASA’s Orion capsule to orbit the Moon and return to Earth, provided crucial data influencing these timeline adjustments. Catherine Koerner, NASA’s associate administrator of its Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, emphasizes a commitment to prioritizing crew safety in decision-making.

Originally, the Artemis program had a more extended timeline, planning to establish the lunar Gateway by 2026 and land astronauts on the lunar surface by 2028. However, a shift occurred in 2019 when Vice President Mike Pence announced an accelerated schedule for a crewed landing in 2024. In 2021, NASA further delayed the attempt to land humans on the Moon to 2025, with challenges such as costly contracts and legal disputes contributing to mission slowdowns, as highlighted in a report by NASA auditors.