Astronomy/solar system

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/26/2009


Question
I agree the moon orbits the earth at aprox. 62,000 miles an hour,but Idon't agree that we orbit the sun. If we did (1)what speed are we doing? (2)how many billions of miles per hour are the furthest star visible doing?

Answer
The Moon only orbits the Earth at about 2,000 miles per hour.

The Earth orbits the Sun at about 65,000 miles per hour.

All the stars we can see without optical aid are moving around our Galaxy at about 600,000 miles per hour. But they are mostly moving in the same direction, at nearly the same speed, like cars on a freeway. So their motions relative to each other are usually less than 100,000 miles per hour.

Astronomy

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Courtney Seligman

Expertise

I can answer almost any question about astronomy and related sciences, such as physics and geology. I will not answer questions about astrology and similar pseudo-scientific rubbish.

Experience

I have been a professor of astronomy for over 40 years, and am working on an online text/encyclopedia of astronomy.

Publications
Astronomical Journal, Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (too long ago to be really relevant, but you could search for Courtney Seligman on Google Scholar)

Education/Credentials
I received a BA in astronomy and physics and a MA in astronomy, both from UCLA. I was working on my doctoral dissertation when I started teaching, and discovered that I preferred teaching to research.

Awards and Honors
(too long ago to be relevant, but Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi still keep trying to get me to become a paying member)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.