【英语时差8,16】为什么最慢的流星出现在夜晚？（下）

Now imagine yourself standing¹ at the north pole, facing the direction the earth is moving through space. You rise up magically, far enough away that you can see the whole planet rotating underneath² you while you yourself remain stationary³. Which direction is it turning? Counterclockwise. Where is the sunlight? From your perspective, it’s on the left side of the planet. That means that the front of the planet, or the part that’s charging into oncoming meteors, is the place where morning is beginning for people on earth. The back of the planet, meaning the part that’s moving away from meteors, is where evening is beginning. It may seem funny, but every morning when you look up into the sky, you are looking in the same direction as the planet is moving. In the evening you are looking the other way. And the speed of shooting stars confirms it!

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

3 stationary   

adj.固定的，静止不动的

参考例句：

• A stationary object is easy to be aimed at.一个静止不动的物体是容易瞄准的。
• Wait until the bus is stationary before you get off.你要等公共汽车停稳了再下车。