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The Western hemisphere of the Earth by NASA/ GSFC/ NOAA/ USGS from Wikimedia Commons
15 Fun Facts about Earth
Simple. It’s the best. Is there anywhere else life can exist in the solar system except on Earth? Let’s unfold this, the sun has extreme temperatures and radiation. How about the moon? It has almost no atmosphere so no air means suffocation while there.
Let’s try our luck on the other planets. Mercury’s solar radiation and extreme temperatures rule it out. On Venus, you would get roasted. The temperatures are two times hotter than in an oven. What’s more, the atmosphere is 90 times the pressure of Earth’s. Our neighbor Mars has very little oxygen, only 0.13 percent of the air.
The rest of the planets the likes of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune have extreme temperatures and pressures. Further, the materials that form their composition are volatile for organisms to adapt to. Pluto (dwarf planet) is plain cold reaching -387°F or -232°C, impossible to survive.
Though planetary experts eye life on Mars, for now, it remains fiction. Very alive in Hollywood. There is also talk about a few of Saturn’s moons having the ability to host life. But still, a dream at the moment. Hence let us applaud our Earth for sustaining us so far. Yet keep our minds boggling, where else?
Read more about the possibility of life on Saturn’s moons here, 10 Interesting Facts about Saturn.
Here are 15 Fun Facts about Earth.
1. Earth has seen billions of years
The Earth is shown at the same scale as the Great Red Spot of Jupiter by the Lunar and Planetary Institute from Wikimedia Commons
According to scientists, Earth formed 4.54 billion years ago with a plus or minus of 50 million years. Researchers determine this using the oldest rocks as well as studies on fellow terrestrial planets. So Earth was formed by gravity that pulled swirling gas and dust into what it is today.
2. Earth is not a perfect sphere
Planet Earth by Apollo 8 Crew from Wikimedia Commons
The ancient Greeks calculated Earth’s circumference in different ways. They measured shadows during summer solstice or used the positions of stars to determine Earth’s shape.
Also, during a lunar eclipse, they were able to observe the planet’s round shadow on the moon. It’s possible to observe the same today. The lunar eclipse is when Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon blocking sunlight from reaching the moon. Thus casting Earth’s shadow on the moon.
Scientists in the modern day use geodesy. This science measures gravity, rotation, and Earth’s shape. Due to advanced technology, geodesy can estimate the size and shape of Earth to the extent of a centimeter. The findings report that the planet is round. Moreover, pictures from space agree that Earth is round like the moon.
The real kick is, it’s not a perfect sphere though it’s round. It takes up an oblate shape because of the forces at its center or equator which cause it to bulge around that area. This effect forces the North and South Poles to flatten.
To add on, the Earth’s rotation and unstable nature among many other forces make the planet’s shape change slowly over time. But bottom line is, Earth is round, only a little bit squashed.
3. We’re third closest to the sun
Earth is about 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers from the sun. In the first place is Mercury at 36 million miles or 58 million km. It’s followed by Venus at over 108 million km. Then Earth settles in third place.
Read more about the sun here, Top 15 Facts about the Sun.
4. Earth has a “twin” planet
Venus is sometimes called Earth’s “sister” or “twin” because their composition is alike. They both have rocky surfaces and are more or less the same in size and structure.
They differ in that Venus is prominent for extreme surface heat and a dense yet toxic atmosphere. Additionally, Mercury may be closest to the sun but Venus is the hottest and hence the brightest planet in the solar system.
5. Earth is never stopping
Earth as seen from space by EnnyIzzy123 from Wikimedia Commons
Our planet spins on its axis counterclockwise or from west to east. It may appear we are firm but the truth is we are in constant motion to a tune of 1,000 miles per hour.
The rotation speed depends on your location on the globe. Areas near the equator move the fastest, unlike the pole zones. The analogy is that the equator section is the largest and requires more time to complete a spin than the rest of the parts. Thus the way to achieve that is to race faster than any of the other places.
6. We are the densest in the solar system
The average density of Earth is 5.5 g/cm3. Suppose our planet was dropped on a pool of water large enough to fit in, Earth would sink. This is because the density of water is 1 gram per cubic centimeter (1 g/cm3). That proves Earth is denser than water.
On the other hand, Saturn has the lowest density of all planets. It’s less dense than water meaning if put on a water body large enough to hold it, it would float.
Find out how dense the smallest gas giant is here, Top 10 Facts about Neptune.
7. Earth has a sidereal day
Say what? Tune in. Earth rotates on its axis and since the sun appears in the same position in the sky, it’s called a solar day. As you know it takes 24 hours.
Then there is the time the Earth takes to rotate about its axis compared to fixed distant stars other than the sun. That is what is called a sidereal day. It is 4 minutes shorter than the solar day. To be exact it takes 23 hours 56 minutes and 4.091 seconds.
8. Earth’s magnetic field is important
Dynamo Theory, showing the relationship between the motion of conducting fluid (organized into rolls by the Coriolis force) and the magnetic field that the motion generates by Andrew Z. Colvin from Wikimedia Commons
The area with this magnetism impact is called the magnetosphere. It is in the core of the earth, made up of iron, and characterized by rapid rotation. Earth’s magnetosphere is the strongest of all the rocky planets.
On top of that, it plays a significant role in making the planet habitable. It protects our planet from harmful solar and cosmic particle radiation. Further prevents erosion of the atmosphere by the solar wind.
9. It is the “Blue planet”
Earth is dubbed the “Blue planet” because 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Liquid water is a rare substance in our solar system and we have plenty of it. But do you know only 3% is fresh water? About 97% is saltwater. Keep in mind fresh water is vital to life yet is a finite resource even on our planet.
Check out the water situation on Uranus here, Top 10 Facts about Uranus.
10. Earth zips around the sun in more than 365 days
Solar system by Lunar and Planetary Laboratory from Wikimedia Commons
We’re back to the sidereal thing. This time it’s the year. So just like there is a sidereal day, it applies to the year. It is sometimes known as the sidereal orbital period.
This means it’s the time Earth or any planetary body takes to orbit the Sun once in relation to given fixed stars. It takes 365 days, 5 hours, 59 minutes, and 16 seconds. You can bank that our year is more than 365 days.
Furthermore, the extra hours account for the 28 days of February every four years. Popular as the leap year. Earth orbits the sun at 67,000 miles or 107,826 km per hour.
Pluto though considered a dwarf planet takes the longest to orbit the sun. Read more here, 15 Facts about Planet Pluto.
11. Earth bows to nobody
This planet prides itself on being unique. All the other planets got their names from Roman deities. The name was derived from the German language and translated to mean “ground”.
During the ancient Roman era, only Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were visible to the naked eye. Hence they were named after their gods. Afterward, when Uranus and Neptune were discovered, they followed suit, embracing the Roman naming style. Only earth is different.
12. Terrestrial planets owe Earth
Moon and Venus by Faraji Brahim from Wikimedia Commons
The term Terra in Latin is a reference to Earth. It comes from the root word “terr” from where we get the word terrestrial. Hence the terrestrial planets category of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars is named in honor of Earth. Because they have a compact and rocky surface like Earth’s terra firma.
13. Our planet is slowing down
The moon exerts a gravitational pull on Earth causing friction effects related to the tides driven by the Moon. The impact is a few extra milliseconds to the length of each day every 100 years. This change seems irrelevant but it has lengthened Earth’s days over time since its formation.
Read more about the moon here, 20 of the Coolest Facts about the Moon.
14. Most of Earth is Asia
Asia projection on the globe in green by Koyos and Ssolbergj from Wikimedia Commons
The continent of Asia is the largest of all continents. To boot, it is the most populous continent in the world. According to 2022 world population statistics, the figures were 7.92 billion people across the planet. Yet about 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia.
15. Earth’s surface recycles
Bear this in mind, Earth is the only planet with plate tectonics in the solar system. So when these plates pull apart they give room to fresh crust formation. For instance, magma can be thrust out, volcanic eruptions can occur or even earthquakes take place.
At the same time, the surface faces erosion. So residues deep down in oceans keep sinking into the core of the earth once tectonic forces create an opening to permit such. The process happens in no particular cycle but those are the events.
Here are quick facts
16. Pacific Ocean is the Earth’s largest and deepest water body.
17. Earth day, every April 22 began in 1970.
18. Our moon encounters moonquakes.
19. Earth and the moon keep partying ways; the distance between them has increased over the years.
20. The Dead Sea is Earth’s lowest point; located between Jordan and Israel, it is 1,414 feet or 431 meters below sea level.
That’s our Earth wrap. Do you have some more facts? Bring them on.
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