We are moving reletavie to what?

Question

If our planet, solar system, and galaxy are all moving in different directions and different speeds to what fixed point are they moving about?

Answer 1

There is no fixed point. The earth spins on its axis and revolves around the sun. The sun moves relative to the local stars, and all of the local stars orbit around the center of the galaxy. The galaxy moves relative to other nearby galaxies.

There is no universal fixed point or fixed velocity reference system, and the principle of relativity indicates that no inertial frame of reference is different (in terms of the physical laws) from any other.

The closest thing we have to a universal frame of reference is the three-degree cosmic microwave background. About 30 years ago, Rich Muller of UC Berkeley observed a "dipole" pattern in the background, which indicates that we are moving relative to that background. According to the 2007 Observer's Handbook, the velocity of our galaxy relative to the microwave background is 400 km/s in the direction
alpha = 14 h
delta = -30 degrees

This motion is in the direction of the southern constellations Hydra or Centaurus.

Answer 2

There is no such point.

The one and only measurable cosmic coordinate system worth mentioning is the cosmic microwave background. We are moving relative to it with a speed of 368+/-2 km/s, or approx 1/815 c:

http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/CMB-DT.html

Answer 3

Pick any reference frame you like. There is no "fixed point" or special point, or center of the universe. Typically we measure our overall motion with respect to the Cosmic Microwave Background, but that is merely a convenience. Nothing super special about the CMB frame, physically.

Answer 4

All the planets, solar systems, galaxies, and stars are moving around a black hole at the center of the universe that is slowly but surely pulling us into it

Answer 5

When you pick a point, and fix it relative to
something else, you decide what
the velocities are. Until then, they are only
relative to each-other.
There is no 'preferred point`, any will do.
Have fun.

Answer 6

The centre of the Universe.