Can anything truly be stationary in our constantly moving universe?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter shinnsohai
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Curiosity Universe
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of motion and the idea of whether anything can be considered truly stationary in the context of a constantly moving universe. It explores the relative velocities of Earth, satellites, and other cosmic entities, touching on theoretical implications and perceptions of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a satellite launched from Earth can be considered stationary, given the movement of the Earth and the universe.
  • Another participant asserts that there is no absolute velocity, emphasizing that velocities are always relative to other objects, such as the Earth and the satellite.
  • A participant expresses curiosity about the implications of being stationary while still moving at significant speeds relative to other celestial bodies.
  • Further elaboration is provided on the various speeds at which Earth and the solar system move relative to different cosmic references, including the sun, the galactic center, and the cosmic microwave background.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the relativity of motion, but there are varying interpretations of what it means to be stationary in a moving universe. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these relative velocities.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the complexities of defining "stationary" and relies on assumptions about relative motion without delving into the mathematical underpinnings of these velocities.

shinnsohai
Messages
41
Reaction score
0
As you may know, our planet(Earth) , solar system, galaxy are moving in a very fast speed traveling around the universe
but, whenever a satellite being launched out from earth, and it's stationary means no speed
then will it be left behind ??
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
There is no absolute velocity in the universe. Only velocities relative to something else.
Satellites start with zero velocity relative to the Earth and gain a small velocity (~8km/s) relative to it - just enough to orbit it. Therefore, they stay in an orbit around earth. The speed of (earth+satellite) relative to anything else does not matter.
 
this seems interesting !
so even we're in stationary, we're moving with 8km/s
cool!

Okay my curiosity solved !
:D
 
shinnsohai said:
so even we're in stationary, we're moving with 8km/s
cool!
Much more, depending on the view. Earth is moving around the sun with 30km/s (relative to the sun). The solar system is moving around the galactic center with ~200km/s (relative to the galactic center). Relative to the cosmic microwave background, we are moving with ~400km/s.
Relative to high-energetic cosmic rays, we are moving with more than 99% of the speed of light ;).
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 57 ·
2
Replies
57
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K