Earth’s Rotation Day

Earth’s Rotation Day is a significant date for science! Today, everyone knows that the Earth does not stop its rotation around its axis, completing each cycle in 24 hours. It is hard to imagine that once this information simply did not exist. However, the world was full of scientists and researchers who were striving to find the truth.

History

On January 8, 1851, French physicist, astronomer, mechanic, and member of the Paris Academy of Sciences, Jean Bernard Léon Foucault, managed to prove the daily rotation of the planet. He did this visually by constructing a device from a ball suspended on a steel wire. The researcher shook the ball and observed its trajectory. Based on his observations of the plane’s rotation, Foucault concluded that the Earth rotates.

Less than a month later, Foucault invited academicians to the observatory and demonstrated his discovery. Everyone was delighted with what they saw! This experiment was so clear and simple that it was surprising no one had thought of it before. The experiment entered the history of science and confirmed the theory.

Interesting facts

Did you know that the Earth:

• revolves around the Sun not in a circle, but in an ellipse;
• experiences fluctuations under the influence of gravity;
• constantly slows down its rotation. According to some reports, a day on the planet originally consisted of 14 hours; now there are 24. The changes are extremely slow;
• is 70% covered by oceans, with the remaining 30% being land;
• takes on 60 tons of dust from space daily.

How to celebrate

Learn more about Earth’s Rotation Day! Study literature, watch documentaries, or talk to a science teacher. Thank the teacher for sharing their knowledge. Find Foucault’s pendulum and witness the experiment that once amazed people.

When is Earth’s Rotation Day in 2025?

Earth’s Rotation Day is observed on January 8 each year.

Observations