Have you ever wondered why we have days and nights, seasons, and how it all relates to Earth’s position in space? To better understand these phenomena, it is necessary to understand two fundamental concepts: the rotational movement and the revolution movement of the Earth. Two movements that dictate our time, our seasons and our entire life on the blue planet.
Rotational movement of the Earth
Let’s imagine the spectacle of a record player. The disc makes a complete revolution on itself, this is also called rotation. The Earth, similar to this disk, also rotates on itself around an invisible axis which passes through the North and South poles. This rotational movement of the Earth is what creates the succession of days and nights.
The speed of rotation of the Earth
The Earth completes one revolution in about 24 hours, or a rotation speed of about 1,670 kilometers per hour at the equator. From this constant rotation comes the cycle of our days and nights. When part of the Earth faces the Sun, it is in broad daylight. On the contrary, when this part turns away from the sun, it is night.
Earth revolution movement
Parallel to its rotation, the Earth performs another celestial dance around the Sun: the movement of revolution. During this motion, the Earth travels around the Sun in a tray called an orbit, which is elliptical in shape and not perfectly round.
The seasons and the movement of revolution
The Earth’s revolution and axial tilt also create the seasons. Indeed, the axis of rotation of the Earth is not perpendicular to its orbit, but inclined by approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt means that different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight at different times of the year, causing variations in temperature and therefore the seasons.
Why does the Earth rotate?
The origin of these movements dates back to the formation of our solar system, approximately 4.6 billion years ago. By condensing from a cloud of gas and dust, the Earth acquired a rotational motion. This motion was preserved by the conservation of angular momentum, a fundamental principle of physics. Likewise, the gravitational attraction of the Sun on the Earth produces the movement of revolution.
The consequences of these movements
The rotational movement of the Earth generates many interesting phenomena, such as the Coriolis force which affects winds and ocean currents, or the phenomenon of tides.
As for the movement of revolution, in addition to the cycle of the seasons, it also generates variations in the appearance of the night sky. Indeed, over the months, we see different constellations depending on the position of the Earth in its orbit.
Does the movement of the Earth affect our daily lives?
Even if you don’t feel it, the constant movement of the Earth has a profound impact on your daily life. It determines our notion of time, with the day/night cycle and the annual calendar. Additionally, it impacts our climate and environment, dictating the seasons and influencing weather conditions.
From sunrise to the appearance of the stars at night, every moment of our lives is punctuated by these cosmic movements.
Last words
Understanding the movements of the Earth is not just a matter of pure scientific knowledge. It is also a way to appreciate the incredible cosmic dance that plays above our heads every day, and which has a direct impact on our daily lives. So the next time you watch a sunrise or sunset, remember the eternal ballet in which our planet tirelessly participates.
