Our Spinning Universe
by Kris Hallbom
Every second you travel thousands of miles. In the time it takes you to read this sentence, you’ve already traveled more. Here’s the breakdown:
Planet Earth is spinning at 1,040 mph at the equator. At the same time, the Earth is circling around the sun at 67,000 mph. And the sun is spinning through our local star cluster at 45,000 mph. Our local star cluster rides on the outer spiral arm of the Milky Way, which is spinning another 500,000 mph. The Milky Way is rotating through the Local Group of galaxies at 180,000 mph. And the Local Group is traveling and rotating through our universe at an estimated 540,000 mph.
Have you ever observed just how much spin takes place In our lives?
Physical: Watch how a dog circles to lay down, how people twirl their hands and fingers when they talk, how wheels go round and round, how a child twirls in the spring, how a Ferris wheel spins to entertain, how water goes down the drain, how balls spin in sports, the list goes on.
Words: Our language is influenced by spin. We often say things such as: my head is spinning, we will have to turn this around, let’s figure a way around that, I’m all wound up, I need to unwind, let’s put a new spin on that, I am in a downward spiral, this conversation is going in circles, there is a turning of the seasons.
Science: There is spin in physics, elementary particles, composite particles, atoms, molecules, and magnetic forces. From quarks to leptons to bosons, there is a spin. Our planet spins in orbit, the solar system spins in the galaxy, the galaxy spins in the universe.
References
- How Fast Are You Moving When You Are Sitting Still? by Andrew Fraknoi, Journal for the Universe in the Classroom, Volume 71 – The Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA, 2007.
- Have You Ever Observed How Much Spin Takes Place in Our Lives by Don DeMaderios, Hermosa Beach, California, 2009.
Kristine Hallbom is the co-founder of the NLP Institute of California and is a principle author and developer of Dynamic Spin Release™ and the WealthyMind™ program. Recognized for her ability to translate complex ideas into practical skills, and for her warm, approachable style, Kris has trained and coached clients throughout Europe, South America, Australia, Canada and the United States.
© 2009 Kris Hallbom
