How do planets float?

Mama Holt

Oh, um, well,

it's because, well, they're not

really floating.

I think...

What do YOU think?

Finnigan the Curious

I think it's because of gravity.

Mama Holt

Right! I actually think that the planets are not floating. I think it's because they are orbiting the Sun and they're going really, really fast so it looks like they're floating. So, maybe that means that they look like they're floating because there's actually NO gravity and it's the pull of the Sun (or maybe the other planets) that keeps them in order and moving along?

Finnigan the Curious

Is that true?

Mama Holt

I'm not sure. Let's go look it up on the computer.

Finnigan the Curious

Nah. I'll just wait 'till Dad gets home and ask him.

Seriously! Isn't that hilarious?

And for those of you still wondering how planets float:

They do not "float." The planets are in motion, and that motion is governed by the gravitational pull of the Sun. The position of the planets and their respective velocities is such that there is a balance which keeps the planets in their orbits, as opposed to either flying out into space or being pulled into the Sun.Everything in space floats because there is no gravity. Gravity is produced by objects in space, so when something in space nears an object, it begins to "fall." It's speed depends on the size of the object.