Nothing in our universe is static. Earth revolves around the Sun, the Sun orbits the center of the galaxy, and even galaxies are constantly in motion. “The movement we observe depends on how the universe and the objects within it formed,” explains Edward Gomez, an astrophysicist and director of education at Las Cumbres Observatory.Scientists believe the universe began with the Big Bang—a rapid expansion from an infinitely dense single point. According to Gomez, this initial explosion set everything into motion, causing the universe to expand outward. This expansion created a dynamic environment where nothing remains still.Carol Christian, an astrophysicist with the Hubble Space Telescope and outreach scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, adds that this explosive beginning gave rise to a universe constantly in motion. One reason for this perpetual movement is the universe’s ongoing expansion, which means there’s nothing in space that doesn’t rotate or move.Another reason for the motion is angular momentum. When two objects in space come close, their mutual gravity pulls them toward each other. If they don’t collide or move apart, they begin to orbit one another. This phenomenon influences everything from the tiniest dust particles to the largest galaxies.This is why the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun. The Solar System originated as a swirling mass of gas and dust, which eventually formed stars and planets. Due to angular momentum, this rotation continues and will not stop.As Gomez puts it, motion is a fundamental element of the universe. It is a sign that the universe is alive, with chemical and physical reactions occurring constantly, all requiring energy. And the most basic form of energy is motion.
Source: Live Science
