if the earth moves at over 60k MPH, why does it appear slow to astronauts? Is everything relative to the universe moving? And if so, how fast are you really going when floating in space at a standstill?

Question

if the earth moves at over 60k MPH, why does it appear slow to astronauts? Is everything relative to the universe moving? And if so, how fast are you really going when floating in space at a standstill?

In: Physics

Answer 1

There is no “relative to the universe” speed. No absolute reference frame.

We measure speed relative to something else. Astronauts measure their speed relative to the Earth.

We measure the speed of the Earth relative to the Sun.

We measure the speed of the Sun around the Milky Way relative to the centre of the galaxy.

There is always something else to compare it to.