Ether with a speed of at least 3x10^4 m/sec?

[esb08]

Why in this experiment was it safe to assume that at some time of the year the Earth should be moving relative to the ether with a speed of at least 3x10^4 m/sec??

 

[mathman]

The Earth's path around the sun is not a straight line. The change in velocity from one side of the orbit to its opposite side would account for it. I haven't calculated the value, but it looks like that will be the difference.

 

[Lojzek]

However one must assume that the Earth can not drag the ether along.

 

[russ_watters]

However one must assume that the Earth can not drag the ether along.

Well, for that experiment, anyway.