Space velocity (astronomy)

Space velocity is how fast an object in space is moving and in what direction. It's like saying how fast and in what direction a car is driving down the road.

Just like a car, objects in space can move at different speeds and in different directions. Sometimes they travel in straight lines, and sometimes they move in curves or orbits around a larger object, like a planet orbiting a star.

To measure space velocity, astronomers use tools like telescopes and special devices called spectrographs to study the light from objects in space. By analyzing the light's colors and wavelengths, they can determine how fast and in what direction an object is moving.

Understanding an object's space velocity helps astronomers learn more about how objects move and interact in space. This information can help us understand things like how galaxies form, how stars are born and evolve, and even how our own solar system formed and developed over time.