earth's rotation
Daily axial spin
Earth's rotation is the spinning of the planet on its axis, completing one full turn approximately every 24 hours.
This rotation creates the cycle of day and night and establishes the reference for measuring time.
The direction is west to east, which is why the sun appears to rise in the east.
Earth's rotation is gradually slowing due to tidal friction from the moon.
- star trailsApparent stellar motion paths
- night skyDarkness above after sunset
- tidal forcesDifferential gravitational pull across bodies
- time zonesRegional clock-setting divisions
- 24 hoursOne day's duration
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