Earth Orientation

Our planet is perceived to turn at a uniform rate with a steady axis of rotation, but it actually wiggles and wobbles in space and experiences changes in rotation rate every day. While these perturbations are small, they are real and VLBI can measure them. These motions are important in understanding the Earth's dynamics and the physical processes that drive them.

Many factors influence Earth's motion, among them the action of surface weather which is a major driver in changes of the planet's rotation period. (image from Verheijen)

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