(Blip.)
[Instrumental, Synthesizers, Bass]
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 1]
Which is moving faster (past Her)
The Earth or the sky (Why?)
Or is rather
More of tie (Why?)
[Chorus]
Hurling through space (our place)
In a path with the sun (run, run)
But wait, I’m not done
We run around the sun
During every bit
We orbit
Our star
So, far…
And, just for fun
We spin (and spin)
All of this
On our axis
[Bridge]
So….
[Instrumental, Guitar solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 2]
Which is moving slower (Know Her?)
The Earth or the sky (Why?)
The thought sower
Wants to try
[Chorus]
Hurling through space (our place)
In a path with the sun (run, run)
But wait, I’m not done
We run around the sun
During every bit
We orbit
Our star
So, far…
And, just for fun
We spin (and spin)
All of this
On our axis
[Bridge]
So….
[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass Runs]
[Bridge]
So….
What do I know
I try
Close to a tie
Or a bye
In any event,
I’m present
In the movement
The human race race
Through space
[Chorus]
Hurling through space (our place)
In a path with the sun (run, run)
But wait, I’m not done
We run around the sun
During every bit
We orbit
Our star
So, far…
[Outro]
And, just for fun
We spin (and spin)
All of this
On our axis
A SCIENCE NOTE
How fast is the sun traveling through space?
The Sun, along with the entire solar system, is traveling through space at a substantial speed. Here are the details:
- Orbital Speed Around the Galactic Center:
- The Sun orbits around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It travels at an average speed of about 220-230 kilometers per second (approximately 490,000 to 514,000 miles per hour).
- It takes the Sun about 225-250 million years to complete one orbit around the Milky Way’s center, a journey known as a galactic year or cosmic year.
- Movement Relative to Nearby Stars:
- In addition to its orbit around the galactic center, the Sun moves relative to the average motion of nearby stars in the local standard of rest (LSR). This motion is approximately 20 kilometers per second (about 45,000 miles per hour) towards the constellation of Hercules.
- Movement with the Milky Way:
- The entire Milky Way galaxy, including the Sun, is also moving through space. It is moving towards the Andromeda Galaxy at about 110 kilometers per second (about 246,000 miles per hour).
These movements are the result of complex gravitational interactions and the dynamic nature of our galaxy and the universe. While these speeds might seem incredibly fast, the vast distances in space mean that such motions are not noticeable from our everyday perspective on Earth.
How fast is the Earth orbiting the sun?
The Earth orbits the Sun at an average speed of approximately 29.78 kilometers per second, which is about 107,000 kilometers per hour (or roughly 66,600 miles per hour). This speed allows the Earth to complete one full orbit around the Sun in about 365.25 days, defining the length of a year.
- Orbital Path: The Earth’s orbit is an ellipse, so the speed varies slightly over the course of a year. The Earth moves fastest when it is closest to the Sun (perihelion) and slowest when it is farthest from the Sun (aphelion).
- Perihelion: Around early January, Earth is closest to the Sun, and its orbital speed can increase to about 30.29 kilometers per second (109,000 kilometers per hour or 67,600 miles per hour).
- Aphelion: Around early July, Earth is farthest from the Sun, and its orbital speed can decrease to about 29.29 kilometers per second (105,000 kilometers per hour or 65,200 miles per hour).
The average speed of 29.78 kilometers per second is a result of the balance between the gravitational pull of the Sun and the inertia of the Earth’s motion.
How fast is the Earth spinning on its axis?
The Earth spins on its axis at a rate that varies depending on your location. Here are the specifics:
- Equator: At the equator, the Earth’s rotational speed is about 1670 kilometers per hour (1037 miles per hour). This is the fastest speed due to the larger circumference.
- Poles: At the poles, the rotational speed is effectively zero because you are standing on the axis of rotation.
To understand this more clearly:
- Circumference: The circumference of the Earth at the equator is about 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles).
- Rotation Period: The Earth takes approximately 24 hours to complete one full rotation (specifically, about 23.93 hours, which is why we have a leap year to account for the extra time).
This rotational speed causes the Coriolis effect, which influences weather patterns and ocean currents. The sensation of this rotation is generally imperceptible to us due to the constant speed and the vast size of the Earth.
Which is moving faster, the earth or the sky?
The concepts of the Earth moving and the sky moving are related to different reference frames, so let’s break it down:
- Earth’s Movement:
- Rotation: The Earth rotates on its axis at about 1670 kilometers per hour (1037 miles per hour) at the equator.
- Orbit: The Earth orbits the Sun at approximately 107,000 kilometers per hour (66,600 miles per hour).
- Sky’s Movement:
- Perception of Sky Movement: From our perspective on Earth, the sky appears to move because of the Earth’s rotation. This apparent motion is about 15 degrees per hour, causing the stars, the Sun, and the Moon to rise in the east and set in the west.
- Actual Motion of Celestial Bodies:
- Stars and Milky Way: The stars in our galaxy, including the Sun, are moving through space as part of the Milky Way’s rotation. The Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way at about 828,000 kilometers per hour (514,000 miles per hour).
- Galactic Motion: The Milky Way itself is moving through space, which adds additional motion to everything within it.
Which is Moving Faster?
- In terms of relative speed from our point of view on Earth, the Earth’s rotation and orbit dictate what we perceive.
- In terms of absolute speed through space, the Sun (and therefore the Earth, as it is part of the solar system) moves much faster through space compared to the rotation and orbit speeds of the Earth itself.
So, while the Earth’s rotation is faster than the perceived motion of the sky (which is actually a result of the Earth’s rotation), the Sun’s journey through the galaxy means the Earth is moving very fast through space. Thus, on an absolute scale, the Earth (as part of the solar system) is moving faster through the galaxy than it is rotating on its axis or orbiting the Sun.