Orbits

Part of Hall of the Universe.

A visualization of the orbits of the Earth, moon, and sun on an exhibition wall in the Hall of the Universe. AMNH/D. Finnin

The Moon orbits Earth. Earth orbits the Sun. The Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. Gravity governs all of these motions, holding moons, planets, and stars in their orbits. If gravity ceased, the solar system and our galaxy would fly apart.

drawing to illustrate the orbit of a cannonball fired from a mountain

In This Section

Exhibit Rotation Ice-skaters spin faster with tight limbs. The same principle applies to the collapsing cloud that formed the solar system.