# When we say the sun takes 230M years to orbit the galaxy, what is this in relation to?

When we say the sun takes 230M years to orbit the galaxy, what is this in relation to? We measure the earth's rotation relative to the distant stars. What is the reference for our Sun's motion around the galaxy?

• Quite a good question! – Fattie Nov 1 '16 at 10:09
• – HDE 226868 Nov 1 '16 at 13:38
• @HDE226868 Your comment on Skawang's answer is not true. The relative velocity of the GC with respect to the Sun, combined with a measurement of the distance to the GC does uniquely define an angular velocity $\omega = v/r$ and hence $P = 2\pi/\omega$ (for a circular orbit). – ProfRob Nov 1 '16 at 14:42
• @RobJeffries In a reference frame fixed on the galactic center and rotating with the Sun's orbit such that the Sun is fixed in that reference frame. – zephyr Nov 1 '16 at 18:15
• Yes, the question has only been converted to, with respect to what reference do we say the galactic center has a proper motion of 230 km/s? It's pretty hard to see through the whole galaxy to find background reference objects, I would assume, but if I had to guess, it would be distant radio quasars. – Ken G Nov 2 '16 at 23:39

If you then assume the Sun's orbit is circular and that Sgr A* is at the GC, then the job is done - the relative velocity divided by the distance to the GC gives the angular velocity $\Omega$, and the orbital period is $2\pi/\Omega$ . If you have a model for the Galactic potential then you can do a bit better.