What Does Our Solar System Rotate Around?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The solar system rotates around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way itself is influenced by the gravitational pull of the local group of galaxies, primarily Andromeda, resulting in a complex motion rather than a simple orbit. Current data suggests that the Milky Way is heavier than the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), although precise measurements are challenging. Additionally, the local group is moving at approximately 600 km/s relative to the Cosmic Microwave Background, contributing to the CMB Dipole effect.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic astronomy concepts
  • Familiarity with galaxy structures and dynamics
  • Knowledge of gravitational interactions between celestial bodies
  • Awareness of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and its significance
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the gravitational dynamics of the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies
  • Explore the concept of the Cosmic Microwave Background and the CMB Dipole effect
  • Study the motion of local galaxy groups and their interactions
  • Investigate methods for measuring galaxy mass and gravitational influence
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, astrophysicists, and students seeking to understand the dynamics of our solar system and its relationship with the Milky Way and neighboring galaxies.

chuckset
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
I know that the Earth rotates around the sun, but what does our solar system rotate around?


P.S. I'm a noob when it comes to anything related to astronomy, sorry.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Our solar system rotates around the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. Our galaxy, in turn, moves around according to the gravity of (primarily) our local group of galaxies, of which Andromeda is the primary contributor (not exactly an orbit, more like we're plunging together). Beyond that, I'm sure our local group has some motion with respect to other clusters of galaxies, but I don't know the specifics of it.

Cheers!
 
Go to You Tube search for "Monty Python Universe Song" that gives all the information you need.
 
Nabeshin said:
Our solar system rotates around the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. Our galaxy, in turn, moves around according to the gravity of (primarily) our local group of galaxies, of which Andromeda is the primary contributor (not exactly an orbit, more like we're plunging together). Beyond that, I'm sure our local group has some motion with respect to other clusters of galaxies, but I don't know the specifics of it.

Cheers!

Latest data indicates the Milky Way is heavier than M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy), but it's very hard to measure.

Our local group is also moving in a certain direction with respect to the Cosmic Microwave Background, producing what's called the CMB Dipole. Look it up for exact details of direction and speed, but it's roughly ~600 km/s I think.
 

Similar threads

High School Terminology for motion in the solar system, ecliptic maybe?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
High School Does Time Pass at Different Rates on Other Planets?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
Undergrad Planetary Formation: Could Collisions Explain Our Solar System?
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
6K
Undergrad New Developments In The Search For Planet X
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
High School Question about the solar system and gravitational forces
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Undergrad How many degrees / radians is one full orbit of the Earth?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad About the relation between number of sidereal and solar days
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
High School How Has the Calculation of Solar System Body SGPs Evolved Over Time?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Who was the first person to recognize the stars as very distant suns?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
High School What factors influence the flattening of planets in our solar system?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K