Question about how stars appear to move westward?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter nukeman
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Stars
nukeman
Messages
651
Reaction score
0
Ok, the stars appear to move westword correct? Is that because the Earth is moving eastword, so its just an illusion that the stars move westword?

Is this Newtons 3rd law? (every action has an equal and opposite reaction)
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
nukeman said:
Ok, the stars appear to move westword correct? Is that because the Earth is moving eastword, so its just an illusion that the stars move westword?

Is this Newtons 3rd law? (every action has an equal and opposite reaction)
I think you're talking about Diurnal Motion. It's because of Earth's rotational motion on it's axis.
 
nukeman said:
Ok, the stars appear to move westword correct? Is that because the Earth is moving eastword, so its just an illusion that the stars move westword?
Yes.
Is this Newtons 3rd law? (every action has an equal and opposite reaction)
No, it's just a consequence of looking at something while moving. Similar to looking out the side window of a moving car (or train, plane, etc). If you are moving to your left objects appear to be moving to your right. In the case of a car it is obvious that you are moving and the objects are actually motionless. That is only because we are so familiar with cars and the fact that they move. We are not really used to thinking about the Earth as moving.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K