ScienceLive counters
Earth is racing through space
The Earth spins (465 m/s at the equator), circles the Sun (29.78 km/s), the Sun circles the Galaxy (251.5 km/s) and the Galaxy races through the Universe (about 565 km/s). Each speed has its own frame of reference.
Remember this
In 40 seconds, the Milky Way carries you about 22,600 km relative to the cosmic microwave background: more than the Earth's diameter (12,742 km). In 30 years, about 535 billion km.
Since you were born, with the whole Galaxy
About 565 km/s relative to the cosmic microwave background (Planck 2018); a year of 365.25 days.
| Rank | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 17.8 billion km | |
| 5 years | 89.2 billion km | |
| 10 years | 178 billion km |
Source: NASA · Gaia (ESA) · Planck (ESA)
