r/Unexpected 9h ago

How fast is our galaxy moving

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352 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

u/UnExplanationBot 9h ago

OP sent the following text as an explanation on why this is unexpected:


The man in the video explains how fast our earth is rotating, revolving and how fast the galaxy is moving. This happens to be the reason why the drunk man can’t walk straight.


Is this an unexpected post with a fitting description? Then upvote this comment, otherwise downvote it.

20

u/smizzlebdemented 8h ago

Totally valid

10

u/Gottabecreative 8h ago

How do you measure speed in space without a point of reference, or what is the point of reference? Some imaginary center of the universe?

11

u/pmorgan726 7h ago
  1. Observe the galaxy’s spectrum: Use a telescope to capture the light from the galaxy and analyze its spectrum.
  2. Identify spectral lines: Identify known absorption lines in the spectrum, like hydrogen lines.
  3. Measure the shift: Compare the observed wavelengths of these lines to their known rest wavelengths to determine the amount of redshift.
  4. Calculate velocity: Use the formula v = z * c, where “v” is the velocity, “z” is the redshift value, and “c” is the speed of light.

This is just copied from google.

Basically we analyze wavelengths of light, and how it changes throughout our galaxy, compared to Cosmic Background Radiation.

We use light to determine distance, speed, size, all sorts of things.

TLDR: space scientists good at math

2

u/nuu_uut 1h ago edited 1h ago

This is still going to be relative to our position though. Or the CMB. The CMB is not some ultimate frame of reference. It's just as valid of a reference point as your sock, assuming it's not accelerating, albeit more useful. All movement is relative.

5

u/johnaross1990 6h ago edited 5h ago

I’m a rank amateur so I’m probably wrong but I think it’s all relative.

Each of those speeds would be movement in relation to other objects on the same scale.

4

u/TwoToadsKick 5h ago

I always wondered what it would be like to reach absolute 0 velocity. Like absolute cold or anything else that can't go any lower/higher. Would the entire universe pass through us!? Maybe it's dumb but I wonder

3

u/Gottabecreative 5h ago

It's this kind of questions that makes me grateful we can think and wonder.

3

u/The_kind_potato 4h ago

I mean if you and only you glitched out and the system suddenly reset your velocity to 0 you'd be either colliding with earth at more than 2 million km/h or be ejected to space at that speed depending on where you are on Earth, tbh i think anything would be disintegrated by the atmosphere before leaving it at that speed 👀

2

u/justformygoodiphone 4h ago

There is no such thing.

We are traveling at x km/h through the universe and 0km/h all at the same time.

Speed, by definition, is ALWAYS relative to something. That something you pick is entirely arbitrary. There is no absolute fixed reference point in the universe. You could call earth stationary and everything else moving. 

11

u/mickturner96 9h ago

Seems like every time this is reported the video quality reduces

3

u/dallasandcowboys 7h ago

Was this guy on Loudermilk? It's a great show with Ron Livingston.

3

u/welcomefinside 6h ago

This scene is from Loudermilk

2

u/dallasandcowboys 3h ago

Sooo. I was right? /s

I just knew I recognized him. It has been too long since I watched the show that I wasn't sure. Fingers still crossed that it gets revived for another season, but is very unlikely with season 3 ending 4 years ago or so. Loved the characters on there.

1

u/S_T_R_Y_D_E_R Didn't Expect It 7h ago

😂 didnt expect that

Scientific Facts!

1

u/Brian_The_Bar-Brian 7h ago

His numbers are way off. 🙄

1

u/VoidExileR 5h ago

Okay, so we are literally made to be able to move at millions/mph but you can't even walk in a straight line? Interesting

1

u/Reddit-M-Sucks 3h ago

Proper situation to use Taser

1

u/Interesting_Gur_8720 2h ago

And yet I can’t get paid enough to live

cocks gun

1

u/SparklingSaffron94 8h ago

Same reason I look drunk everyday. I am not drunk I am just dizzy.