The Earth in Motion

Physics professor, Mike Stafford, examines and explains the various motions the earth undergoes as it travels through space, including its interactions with the sun, the moon and the other planets. Also examined is the motion of the Solar System through the galaxy, the galaxy through our local group, and on and on… Along the way each motion is looked at to explain why it happens and considers what consequences it may have. To do this, some understanding of the physics involved is needed. Those principles of physics, in a non-mathematical way, are explained.

A handout with some written material and diagrams is available as a PDF download.

Mike Stafford, now semi-retired, taught at Penn State University full time and Gannon University as an adjunct for 37 years. His primary interest in physics is classical mechanics. Mike is a licensed airplane pilot with single and multi-engine land certification. He is also a licensed parachute rigger and expert skydiver with 3700 jumps- yikes! Mike says, “as a physicist, interested in everything, I am able to speak on any subject, sometimes coherently.”

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