Miscellaneous Astronomy Facts

  • At approximately 225 million years, a cosmic year is the length of time that it takes the sun to orbit the centre of the Milky Way
  • The international space station orbits earth at a speed of approximately 17,000 miles per hour
  • The comet Hale-Bopp won't pass earth again until the year 4937.
  • According to Einstein's theories, the universe has no edge or centre
  • Distances in space are measured using the 'Astonomical Unit' (AU), which is equal to the distance between the earth and the sun - approximately 150 million kilometres (93 million miles)
  • Even when you're standing completely still, you are actually travelling at a speed of 66,700 mph - as this is the speed at which the earth orbits the Sun
  • Light travels at about 186,300 mph