Advanced search

Answers


calculating drift coordinates

If I was to sit in the same point of space, say the chair I am sitting in right now and waited as the Earth continued to orbit the Sun; would in 12 months my location on Earth be the same or would I be somewhere else and if so how far would this point drift from my original location each year?

sssss
 (no votes)

submit an answer
  • Member status
  • none

Categories: Planet Earth.

Tags: Space, drifting, coordinates.

 

Report abuse


2 answer(s)


Reply

Jon-Richfield says:
That question is too ambiguous for a simple answer.  In terms of Newtonian relativity you arguably might have such a thing as a specific, absolute position in space, but it is not clear how to define it; if you see it as relative to where you see yourself being, then you would not even leave your chair, but stay on Earth. However, Newton regarded the fact that in doing so you would be subject to tidal, rotational, and similar forces as proof that you were in fact moving ralarive to the rest of the universe. If instead you could elect to stand still relative to the sun (ignoring the fact that if you were to be stationary relative to its rotation, which by the way varies with distance from the solar equator, you would be completing an orbit every month or so, in fact more than twelve times as fast as the planet, and would go flying out of orbit at a great rate) then you could indeed await the return of Earth, but it would pass by at a significant distance because it has a slightly and inclined elliptical orbit that systematically varies in eccentricity, and also precesses slightly.  But then, the sun itself  is moving at many kilometres per second relative to the centre of the galaxy, and the galaxy is moving relative to the other galaxies, that in turn are moving relative to each other in groups and super groups more or less indefinitely for all we can tell. If you stopped relative to any of them, Earth and sun would go zipping off and never return to you.  Conversely, If you take an Einsteinian view, you wold be entitled to say that you are indeed stationary and that it is the surrounding universe that is flowing and rotating around you. And the Earth and sun would never leave you at all. Sit quietly and think that one over... Cheers,   Jon
sssss
 (no votes)

Tags: Space, drifting, coordinates.

top

posted on 2010-01-04 09:57:16 | Report abuse


Reply

TresJuicy says:

Having read Jons response I think a better way to ask this question is:

If I were to trace the orbit of the Earth and follow it backwards at half the speed the Earth is travelling (therefore staying still relative to the Earth) where would I be in 1 year?

sssss
 (no votes)

Tags: Space, drifting, coordinates.

top

posted on 2011-11-29 14:54:17 | Report abuse


The last word is ...

the place where you ask questions about everyday science

Answer questions, vote for best answers, send your videos and audio questions, save favourite questions and answers, share with friends...

register now


ADVERTISMENT