Thursday, September 17, 2026
Science

Snow, monsoons and oceans shift Earth's center of mass each year, satellite tracking shows

Seasonal changes redistribute enough water around Earth to shift the planet's center of mass back and forth by fractions of an inch relative to its geometric center. NASA scientists are on the case, tracking the oscillations because Earth's center of mass is a crucial reference point for satellite n...

Snow, monsoons and oceans shift Earth's center of mass each year, satellite tracking shows
Image: Phys.org
Seasonal changes redistribute enough water around Earth to shift the planet's center of mass back and forth by fractions of an inch relative to its geometric center. NASA scientists are on the case, tracking the oscillations because Earth's center of mass is a crucial reference point for satellite navigation and elevation measurements.

Originally published at Phys.org

The Morning Briefing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Be the first to receive the latest news, market analysis and updates — delivered straight to your inbox.