Earth: Astonishing Facts, and Key-Features

Earth is our home, but also the third planet of the solar system and the only planet known on the entire universe that holds life.

Remarkable data about Earth:

Radius6371 km
Mass5.972 × 10^24 kg
Gravity9.807 m/s²
Distance from Sun149.6 million km
Age4.543 billion years
Orbital period365,26 days
Natural satellites1 Moon

Key Features of Earth:

  • Oceans: Covering about 71% of Earth’s surface, oceans play a critical role in regulating climate and supporting marine life.
  • Atmosphere: Composed mainly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), Earth’s atmosphere protects life by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.
  • Continents: Earth has seven continents (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia) that host diverse ecosystems and human civilizations.
  • Climate: Earth’s climate varies widely across different regions, influenced by factors like latitude, altitude, and proximity to bodies of water.
  • Life: Earth supports millions of species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. It’s the only place in the known universe where life is confirmed to exist.

Earth Position in the Solar System:

  • Orbit: Earth orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers), which is ideal for maintaining a temperature range that allows water to exist in liquid form.
  • Rotation and Tilt: Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours, creating day and night. The planet is tilted at about 23.5 degrees, which leads to the changing seasons as Earth orbits the Sun.