FACTS ABOUT THE EARTH
Learn all about our amazing planet…
Earth, our wonderful world! But how much do you know about the planet we call home? Let’s find out with our fascinating facts about the Earth…
Facts about the Earth
1. The third celestial body from the sun in our solar system is Earth, deriving its name from ancient English and Germanic terms signifying 'the ground.'
2. Our extraordinary planet boasts an extensive history, and through the study of its rocks, scientists have determined its age to be around 4.5 billion years.
4. Ever pondered the reason behind the changing seasons? The Earth's tilt of 23.4 degrees on its axis, an imaginary line from the North Pole to the South Pole, is the explanation. This tilt results in various regions facing the sun differently at different points in the year or during its orbit.
5. In addition to traversing through space, Earth undergoes rotation on its axis, creating the phenomenon of day and night. While the side exposed to the sun experiences daylight, the opposite side remains in darkness as the planet spins.
6. Many commonly perceive Earth as a massive sphere, but its actual shape is more akin to a flattened sphere with a bulging appearance at the equator, situated precisely between the North Pole and the South Pole.
7. The Earth's bulging shape is a result of its rotation and the influence of gravity, an unseen force that draws objects toward each other. Gravity is the force preventing things from drifting off into space by pulling them towards the Earth.
8. The Earth’s diameter (distance straight through the middle) measures a huge 12,800 kilometres, making it the fifth largest planet in the solar system. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are even bigger!
9. Earth is the only planet in our solar system known to support life. This is because it has two very important things that living creatures need to survive –– lots of oxygen and lots of water! Its distance from the sun means it’s not too hot and not too cold for creatures to live on, too.
10. Earth’s ‘atmosphere’ is also hugely important for sustaining life. The atmosphere is a huge blanket of gases – mostly oxygen and nitrogen – wrapped around Earth, protecting our planet from the sun’s strong rays. At the same time, the atmosphere helps keep the Earth’s temperature comfortable for living beings – and it protects us from meteors, too!
