From the November 2008 issue

In what direction and at what speed is the solar system moving through the Milky Way?

Sayed Alawi, Anaheim, California
By | Published: November 24, 2008 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Compared to the average motion, the Sun appears to move a little faster — 16,000 mph (25,200 km/h) — than the general rotation. It’s moving toward the galactic center at 22,000 mph (36,000 km/h) and slightly upward at 11,000 mph (18,000 km/h).