What is the velocity of the Earth?

When you step outside to look at the stars, doesn't it seem as though the Earth is standing still? It's not! In fact, the Earth never rests, it's always in motion.

The Earth moves in at least two different ways. First, it travels around the Sun at 29.8 km/sec. This is called its "orbital velocity". At the same time, the Earth also spins on its axis at a rate of .47 km/sec (its "rotational velocity").

That means we're travelling through space at nearly 67,000 mph, while at the same time spinning around in circles at over 1000 mph! Whew! Almost makes you dizzy, doesn't it?

What is the velocity of the Earth?

When you step outside to look at the stars, doesn't it seem as though the Earth is standing still? It's not! In fact, the Earth never rests, it's always in motion.

The gravitational pull between the Earth and Sun causes the Earth to travel around, or "orbit", the Sun at a velocity of 29.8 km/sec. At the same time, the Earth also turns on its axis causing the daily cycle of day and night. This "rotational velocity" is approximately .47 km/sec.

That means that at the same time we're hurdling through space at nearly 67,000 mph, we're also spinning around in circles at over 1000 mph! Whew! Almost makes you dizzy, doesn't it?

What is the velocity of the Earth?

"The Day the Earth Stood Still" may be a great title for a movie, but it certainly doesn't have any bearing in reality. While an evening of stargazing may give you the impression that all the world is still, the truth is that the Earth is always in motion.

The gravitational pull between the Earth and Sun causes the Earth to orbit the Sun at a velocity of 29.8 km/sec. At the same time, the Earth also rotates on its axis causing the daily cycle of day and night. This "rotational velocity" is approximately .47 km/sec.

This means that at the same time we're hurdling through space at nearly 67,000 mph, we're also spinning at over 1000 mph! Whew! Almost makes you dizzy, doesn't it?

Last modified prior to September, 2000 by the Windows Team

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