Chapter 3 · Galaxy

The Solar System orbits the Milky Way

Our entire Solar System — Sun, planets, and you — is sweeping around the galactic center at about 514,000 mph (828,000 km/h). The yellow rings mark our neighborhood on the Orion Arm.

Galactic orbital speed

You are orbiting the galaxy

514,000mph
828,000km/h

Distance traveled around the Milky Way while viewing this page

0 mi·0 km

Time on page: 0.0s

A reminder about direction

Earth's spin, its orbit around the Sun, and the Sun's trip around the galaxy all point in different directions. When we quote a combined "total velocity" later, treat it as an upper bound — not a strict sum.