Overview
Earth, the planet that flies through space while still remaining beneath our feet. There is no coincidence that it is nicknamed “Our Home Planet”. We live on the third planet from the Sun.
Classification
Earth is a terrestrial planet just like Mercury, Venus and Mars. Terrestrial planets are only found in the inner solar system. This is the area between the Sun and the asteroid belt. All terrestrial planets contain a rocky core and solid surface. Between Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, Earth is the biggest of the inner planets.
Size
Earth is the 5th largest planet in the solar system at 3,959 miles in radius.
Rotation
One day on Earth is 23.9 hours whereas a year is made up of 365.24 days. To even things out, we have a leap year every 4th year. This is why we have Leap day, February 29th, every 4th year.
Position
Because of the 23.4 degree tilt, the Earth has a cycle of seasons. The four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, differ according to where you are on Earth. North of the equator, summer is between June and September. But south of the equator, June and September are the winter months. Near the equator the seasons are not very extreme. Like all the other planets, except Venus, Uranus and Pluto, Earth rotates from east to west. It takes 8 minutes for light to travel from the Sun to Earth, because Earth is 93 million miles from the Sun. Earth has more of an oval shaped orbit. This also contributes to why Earth has seasons.
Structure
Earth has a core with an inner and outer layer to it. The inner core of the Earth is solid- made of iron and nickel. The temperature of the inner core is 9,800 degrees F. It can reach temperatures up to 12,600 degrees F. Surrounding the inner core is the outer core. It is made up of liquid iron and nickel. The outer core is about 6,700 to 7,800 degrees F.
Above the outer core is the mantel which is made up of thick molten rock. The mantle is about 1,800 miles thick and makes up about 45% of the overall radius. With the consistency of caramel, the rock is thick and filled with gases like sulphur dioxide.
The crust of the Earth sits on top of the mantle. Where the crust meets the mantle the temperature is about 1,800 degrees F. At points the crust is 19 miles thick, but in the ocean it is as thin as 3 miles thick. Don’t worry. This is in the deepest part of the ocean called the Mariana Trench, where the crust is covered in both water and dirt. For the most part the temperature depends on where you are on Earth. Some places are hot, others are temperate and still other places are very cold. There are also many volcanoes on Earth. The tallest is Mouna Kea in Hawaii. From its base to it’s peak, it is even taller than Mount Everest. Because Mouna Kea is so heavy, it is mostly underwater and dents the crust itself.
Of the planets, Earth is the 5th most massive. This means it has the most mass of all the inner planets. Considering all the planets, it ranks just behind Uranus.
Atmosphere
Earth has a core with an inner and outer layer to it. The inner core of the Earth is solid- made of iron and nickel. The temperature of the inner core is 9,800 degrees F. It can reach temperatures up to 12,600 degrees F. Surrounding the inner core is the outer core. It is made up of liquid iron and nickel. The outer core is about 6,700 to 7,800 degrees F.
Above the outer core is the mantel which is made up of thick molten rock. The mantle is about 1,800 miles thick and makes up about 45% of the overall radius. With the consistency of caramel, the rock is thick and filled with gases like sulphur dioxide.
The crust of the Earth sits on top of the mantle. Where the crust meets the mantle the temperature is about 1,800 degrees F. At points the crust is 19 miles thick, but in the ocean it is as thin as 3 miles thick. Don’t worry. This is in the deepest part of the ocean called the Mariana Trench, where the crust is covered in both water and dirt. For the most part the temperature depends on where you are on Earth. Some places are hot, others are temperate and still other places are very cold. There are also many volcanoes on Earth. The tallest is Mouna Kea in Hawaii. From its base to it’s peak, it is even taller than Mount Everest. Because Mouna Kea is so heavy, it is mostly underwater and dents the crust itself.
Of the planets, Earth is the 5th most massive. This means it has the most mass of all the inner planets. Considering all the planets, it ranks just behind Uranus.
Moon
Earth has one moon. The moon helps to stabilize Earth’s wobbling. It is 30 Earth’s away from Earth and 1/4th of Earth’s diameter.
Fun Facts
Earth is the only planet that has liquid water.
Check out the world around you if you would like to know more about the different regions, countries and people groups here on our own planet. Explore!