• Swedneck
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    8 months ago

    again, straight compared to what?

    there is no center of the universe, nor a universal grid that things can reference. one of the most fundamental tenets of astrophysics is that everything is relative and statements like “travelling straight” are simply nonsensical unless you specify what it’s travelling straight in relation to.

    • petrol_sniff_king@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      8 months ago

      The… Earth and Sun.

      Those are the reference frames.

      You start by traveling with the Earth.
      Gravity “turns off” for you.
      The Earth then curves away as it orbits the Sun.

      You just follow the tangent line.

      • oce 🐆@jlai.lu
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        8 months ago

        Yes, that was my point. I think it aligns good enough with the comics.