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- Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is the largest of the four terrestrial planets namely Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars (Order of the planets from the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (the dwarf planet)).
- The existence of water in the liquid phase on Earth is due to the temperature span that exists on the Earth: 0 – 100 degree Celsius. Water boils at 100 degree Celsius, thus converting it into gas and making it unusable for consumption by living beings including humans, animals, and birds, etc.
- Earth is the only place in the solar system where water can be present in all the three states – solid, liquid and gas.
- We are all traveling around the Sun at an average velocity of 107,182 kilometers per hour. And at the same time, we are also spinning with an enormous speed – that could be 1000 miles per hour depending on your position on Earth.
Learn about the Earth's formation, rotation, magnetic field, moon, density, and more. Discover some surprising facts about the only planet that supports life, such as its irregular shape, its co-orbital satellites, and its water distribution.
- Namesake. The name Earth is at least 1,000 years old. All of the planets, except for Earth, were named after Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. However, the name Earth is a Germanic word, which simply means “the ground.”
- Potential for Life. Earth has a very hospitable temperature and mix of chemicals that have made life abundant here. Most notably, Earth is unique in that most of our planet is covered in liquid water, since the temperature allows liquid water to exist for extended periods of time.
- Size and Distance. With an equatorial diameter of 7926 miles (12,760 kilometers), Earth is the biggest of the terrestrial planets and the fifth largest planet in our solar system.
- Orbit and Rotation. As Earth orbits the Sun, it completes one rotation every 23.9 hours. It takes 365.25 days to complete one trip around the Sun. That extra quarter of a day presents a challenge to our calendar system, which counts one year as 365 days.
- We're the third rock from the sun. Our home, Earth, is the third planet from the sun and the only world known to support an atmosphere with free oxygen, oceans of liquid water on the surface and life.
- Earth is squashed. Earth is not a perfect sphere. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as Earth spins, gravity points toward the center of our planet (assuming for explanation's sake that Earth is a perfect sphere), and a centrifugal force pushes outward.
- The planet has a waistline. Gravity pushes extra masses of water and earth into a bulge, or "spare tire" around our planet. At the equator, the circumference of the globe is 24,901 miles (40,075 kilometers), according to Space.com.
- Earth is on the move. You may feel like you're standing still, but you're constantly moving — fast. Depending on where you are on the globe, you could be spinning with the planet at just over 1,000 miles per hour, according to Space.com.
- The name Earth is a German word, which simply means the ground. It comes from the Old English words ‘eor(th)e’ and ‘ertha‘. In German it is ‘erde’.
- Earth is the only planet not named after a god.
- Earth is more than 4.5 billion year old.
- A day on Earth is 24 hours. Earth makes a complete orbit around the sun (a year in Earth time) in 365 1/4 days.
Learn 10 fascinating facts about the Earth, our wonderful world, from its age and shape to its atmosphere and seasons. Find out how Earth supports life, orbits the sun, and spins on its axis.
Apr 21, 2024 · Keep reading for 75 absolutely fascinating facts about Earth. Here are interesting things to know about our planet, including cool Earth facts for kids.
