Astronomy/earth movment

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 4/8/2007


Question
QUESTION: Does earth move CounterClockWise or ClockWise ?
ANSWER: E:

CCW and CW depends on how you are looking at the Earth.

The Earth rotates on its axis West to East, which is why it looks like the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West.

Steve


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much Steve !!!
Please explain again
Is it CCW or CW ?  
Could not understand from the answer
Thanks again.

Answer
E:

Actually, when you are dealing with the Earth's rotation, the terms CCW and CW do not exist.  If you view the Earth from above, the rotaion is CCW.  As vieved from below, it is CW.  That is why we use the terms East and West instead of CCW or CW.

Just like there is no Up or down in space, there really is no CW or CCW in talking about the Earth's rotation.

Steve

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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