“As the Earth rotated around the Sun …”

Common English Blunders, Verbs, Versus

I saw this in the splash animation at www.take.tv.

Problem:
The verb “rotated” is incorrect here.

Explanation:
The verb “rotate” means to turn around on, or as if on, an axis. The verb “revolve” means to follow a circular or elliptical course around another body. The verbs “rotate” and “revolve” are not synonyms. The Earth rotates (on its axis) and revolves (around the Sun) at the same time. The Earth rotates once every twenty-four hours; the Earth revolves around the Sun once per year. Rotation gives us day and night; revolving gives us the four seasons.

Solution:
“As the Earth revolved around the Sun …”