NASA Tracks Earth's Center of Mass Shift Due to Weather Changes

WHO:

Phys.org - NASA scientists are involved in tracking the Earth's center of mass.

WHAT:

Phys.org - Seasonal changes redistribute enough water around Earth to shift the planet's center of mass by fractions of an inch relative to its geometric center.

NASA - NASA is tracking the oscillations of Earth's center of mass.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The shifts in Earth's center of mass occur globally as water is redistributed.

WHY:

NASA - Earth's center of mass is a crucial reference point for satellite navigation and elevation measurements.

HOW:

Phys.org - NASA uses satellite tracking to monitor the oscillations of Earth's center of mass.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:04 UTC)

NASA scientists are currently tracking the Earth's center of mass, which shifts by fractions of an inch due to seasonal changes in water distribution around the planet. These global shifts are significant because the center of mass serves as a crucial reference point for satellite navigation and elevation measurements. To monitor these oscillations, NASA employs advanced satellite tracking technology.