Question about how stars appear to move westward?

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Stars appear to move westward due to Earth's rotation towards the east, creating an optical illusion of westward motion. This phenomenon is known as Diurnal Motion, which results from the Earth's axial rotation. It is not related to Newton's third law, as the perceived motion is simply a result of the observer's movement rather than an action-reaction scenario. The analogy of observing objects from a moving vehicle illustrates this concept, where stationary objects appear to move in the opposite direction of travel. Understanding this motion helps clarify the nature of celestial observations.
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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)
 
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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.
 
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