|
|
Q&A: General Astronomy and Space Science
|
Q:
Is our solar system moving or travelling within our galaxy? Is
our galaxy travelling or moving in the universe? If so, how
fast?
A:
Yes, our solar system is indeed traveling within our galaxy.
Our galaxy is a spiral galaxy that, from a distance, may look a
bit like:
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/archive/releases/2001/10/
Our star, the Sun, is about 3/4 of the way out from the center,
on one of the spiral arms. The Sun (with its planets, which
comprise our solar system) then travels in an orbit around the
center of the galaxy, at a velocity (i.e. speed) of a few
hundred kilometers per second.
And yes, our whole galaxy is also traveling through space. Our
galaxy's velocity is several hundred kilometers per second (to
be technically correct, this velocity is with respect to the
cosmic microwave background).
|
