How fast are you presently moving through space?

Start by asking the question, "Relative to what?"

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Although we barely feel it at all, planet Earth is moving relative to every other object in the Universe: through the Solar System, the galaxy, and the Universe at large.

• At each scale, as we zoom out, there’s an incredible amount to learn about our motion through the cosmos, and we can even measure what it cumulatively adds up to.

• Whenever you ask how fast we’re moving, it’s vital to ask, “Relative to what?” After centuries of advances in astronomy, we finally know the answer, on all cosmic scales.