The motion of the stars over our heads is as much an illusion as that of the cows, trees and churches that flash past the windows of our train.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The apparent movement of stars is an illusion caused by our own motion, similar to how stationary objects appear to move when viewed from a moving train.
- In plain terms
- Stars seem to move because we are moving, just like trees look like they are passing by when you ride a train.
- What can you take from it?
- Perception of motion often depends on the observer's frame of reference.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does your perspective change what you see?
- Is motion absolute or relative?
Another view
The analogy simplifies complex astronomical phenomena.
More from James Jeans
The human race, whose intelligence dates back only a single tick of the astronomical clock, could hardly hope to understand so soon what it all means.
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