Re: If the Earth weren't moving during the Venus transit

From: Cousin Ricky (rickyusvi_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 06/10/04 

Date: 10 Jun 2004 12:13:30 -0700

Insanely Ranted:
> >The earth is the center of the solat system so it doesn't move...everything
> >else does...

bettrel@aol.com (Bettrel) wrote in message news:<20040610011656.16349.00000780@mb-m29.aol.com>...
>
> Well, technically speaking, wouldn't it be true that the frame of reference
> consisting of a fixed Earth with everything else moving is as valid as any
> other reference frame?

I don't think so. The Earth is spinning, which is a form of
acceleration. This means that the Earth's reference frame is not
inertial, and cannot be considered "fixed" under relativity.

Why is the difference important? Here are a couple of illustrations
that don't require math or anything:

1. Galileo gave this simple illustration of relativity: If one is in
a boat with no windows, it is impossible to tell whether the boat is
stationary or moving in a straight line. However, if the boat is
turning, you can feel it, or even see the chandelier tilting, even
though you can't see outside.

2. Spin around 360 degrees. That should take about 2 seconds. Does
that mean that, relative to you, the Sun has moved up to 940,000,000
km in two seconds? That's more than 3000 times the speed of light!
Although the Earth spins much more slowly than that, i think the
concept can be generalized.

(Someone *please* correct me if i'm wrong or off-base.)

Clear skies! 

-- 
------------------- Richard Callwood III --------------------
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