top of page

The Cosmic Highway

How Fast We're Racing Through Space

2.jpg

Even if you’re just sitting on your couch binge-watching your favorite show, you’re actually zooming through the universe at some pretty mind-blowing speeds—no ticket required!


First off, let’s talk about the Earth’s rotation. The Earth spins around its axis at about 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km/h) at the equator. So even while standing still, you’re taking a high-speed ride, thanks to the rotation of our planet.


But it doesn’t stop there! The Earth also orbits the Sun at an incredible speed of about 67,000 miles per hour (107,000 km/h). Imagine a massive roller coaster ride where you’re constantly looping around a giant ball of fire—that’s what you’re doing right now!


Still not impressed? Well, the entire solar system, including our lovely spinning Earth, is orbiting around the center of the Milky Way galaxy at a mind-boggling speed of about 514,000 miles per hour (828,000 km/h). We’re all traveling on this galactic journey, looping around the center of our galaxy in a trip that takes about 230 million years to complete. Talk about a long road trip!


And then there’s the motion of the Milky Way itself. Our entire galaxy is hurtling through space at an estimated speed of 1.3 million miles per hour (2.1 million km/h) relative to the cosmic microwave background, which is the afterglow of the Big Bang.


So, when you add all of this up, while you’re seemingly standing still, you’re actually traveling at a speed that could be more than 2 million miles per hour (3.2 million km/h) through the universe! It’s enough to make your head spin (but don’t worry, your couch isn’t going anywhere). This mind-boggling speed is all thanks to the combined motion of the Earth’s spin, its orbit around the Sun, the Sun’s orbit around the Milky Way, and the Milky Way’s own journey through space. So, next time someone asks you what you’re doing, you can say, “Oh, you know, just casually speeding through the universe at over a million miles per hour!”

3.jpg
2.jpg
facts.png
FACTS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN
gruen-effect.jpg
Nature

A New Dance in the Skies

gruen-effect.jpg
ACCIDENTAL INVENTIONS

From Moldy Hay to Life-Saving Medicine

gruen-effect.jpg
UNUSUAL INTERESTS OF NOBILITY

The Locksmith King Who Loved Gadgets and Maps

gruen-effect.jpg
SAYINGS

"Goodnight Sleep Tight"

gruen-effect.jpg
INSECTS

Caring for Monarchs

gruen-effect.jpg
THE HUMAN BODY

The Human Eye Can Distinguish ...

popular.png
POPULAR NOW
gruen-effect.jpg
FOOD & DRINK

Bubbles & Blockchain

gruen-effect.jpg
Enchanting Landscapes

Waterfall Wonderland

gruen-effect.jpg
INVENTIONS

From Holy Water to Hot Snacks

gruen-effect.jpg
ENTERTAINMENT

Red Lipstick

gruen-effect.jpg
Money

The Vatican's Unique ATMs

gruen-effect.jpg
Legends

The Knights of Yore

gruen-effect.jpg
ANIMALS

The Ageless Wonder

gruen-effect.jpg
ANIMALS

Polar Bear's Aren't White?!

bottom of page