2007-10-30 03:00:36 · 7 answers · asked by gaviscon 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Because the stars are a long way away.
Next time you're in a car doing 20mph, look at something far away, then look at lampposts passing within a few feet of your window. The something far away is easy to focus on, but the lamppost isn't, right?
"These cows are small. Those cows are far away."
2007-10-30 03:06:57 · answer #1 · answered by Bob R 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
The Earth actually moves at 1658 KM per hour at the equator, but speed is insignificant when we view a star.
2007-10-30 12:01:53 · answer #2 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stars are a long, long way away. Light coming from a very distant object appears to be coming towards us at the same angle; despite the rotation of the earth. it takes a very precise scientific instrument to measure the angular distance from a star, even from opposite sides of the earth's orbit around the sun (about 300 million kilometers from one side to the other).
2007-10-30 10:12:51 · answer #3 · answered by AndrewG 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the earth rotates at 1 revolution per day. How do our eyes focus when we look at the stars?
Very easily, there is plenty of time before the star drops below the horizon.
2007-10-30 10:12:12 · answer #4 · answered by monsewer icks 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The surface velocity isn't what makes the difference, it is the angular velocity that natters. It still takes a day to rotate 360 degrees.
The effect is quite noticable if you set up a stationary telescope and focus on anything in the heavens. At higher magnifications the stars zoom across you field of view and are hard to track.
2007-10-30 10:15:06 · answer #5 · answered by Y!A-FOOL 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Einstein has a lot to answer for.
2007-10-30 10:19:17 · answer #6 · answered by oldfart 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
EZ divide that by the circumference of the earth and that's how fast you are moving
2007-10-30 10:06:07 · answer #7 · answered by criminal convictions 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋