Earth Races Through space at 107,000 km/h – But Why Don’t We Feel It?
Jakarta,Indonesia – Our planet is in constant,rapid motion,hurtling through space at an average speed of approximately 107,000 kilometers per hour as it orbits the Sun. Yet, despite this amazing velocity – far exceeding the speed of any aircraft – humans experience no sensation of movement. Scientists explain this phenomenon is due to the remarkably smooth and consistent nature of Earth’s rotation and orbit, combined with the powerful force of gravity.
The key, experts say, lies in the absence of acceleration or deceleration. “We can only feel movement when there is acceleration or deceleration, for example when riding a carousel or a car that suddenly stops,” explains the article. earth’s movement, though, has remained remarkably stable for billions of years, lacking the sudden changes in speed or direction that would trigger our inner sense of motion.
This consistency is analogous to traveling on a plane at cruising altitude. Passengers can move freely within the cabin without perceiving the aircraft’s high speed. Similarly, we, along with everything around us – buildings, trees, and oceans – are moving with the Earth, creating no relative motion detectable by our bodies.
The sheer scale of the planet also plays a role. The article draws a comparison to an ant crawling on a giant beach ball, illustrating how our small size renders the Earth’s movement imperceptible. Furthermore, the lack of a fixed reference point in space contributes to the illusion of stillness. Distant stars appear stationary despite our planet’s journey, as thay are too far away to reveal noticeable positional changes.
Crucially, gravity acts as an invisible anchor, preventing us from being flung into space.”Like the strong embrace of our own planet, gravity ensures that everything on its surface remains securely attached,” the article states.
Evidence of Earth’s movement is readily observable in everyday phenomena. The cycle of day and night is a direct result of the planet’s rotation, while seasonal changes are caused by the tilt of Earth’s axis as it revolves around the Sun. The apparent movement of stars across the night sky further confirms these motions – observations initially made by ancient astronomers and now validated by modern technology like space telescopes and satellites.
The article concludes by emphasizing that earth’s motion is not unique. The Sun itself is in motion, traveling through the Milky Way galaxy at hundreds of thousands of kilometers per hour. “On the scale of the cosmos, nothing is truly still,” it states, highlighting the dynamic and interconnected nature of the universe.
The author is a participant in the Ministry of Manpower’s Internship Hub programme at detikcom.
(nah/nah)