Earth

The Blue Planet

Our home planet, the only known planet with life

Earth

Composition

Iron-nickel core, silicate mantle, and oceanic/continental crust

Atmosphere

78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% other gases

Cosmic Portrait

Earth: The Blue Planet

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only known world to support life. Its unique combination of atmosphere, water, and magnetic field makes it a rare oasis in the vastness of space.

  • Surface: Over 70% of Earth's surface is covered by oceans, which regulate climate and support a dazzling diversity of life.
  • Atmosphere: A delicate balance of nitrogen and oxygen protects life and enables weather, while the ozone layer shields us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
  • Magnetic Field: Generated by a molten iron core, Earth's magnetic field acts as a protective shield against solar and cosmic radiation.

Dynamic and Living Planet

Unlike any other planet in our solar system, Earth is geologically active. Its tectonic plates shift and collide, forming mountains, triggering earthquakes, and creating new land. This dynamic nature recycles nutrients and shapes the continents over millions of years.

Earth's biosphere is a symphony of interconnected ecosystems, from lush rainforests and vast deserts to icy polar regions and deep ocean trenches. The planet's seasons, caused by its axial tilt, paint the land in ever-changing colors and drive cycles of growth and renewal.

Human Civilization

Earth is home to over 8 billion people and countless species of plants and animals. Human ingenuity has led to remarkable achievements, from ancient wonders to modern technology, but also presents challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Suspended in the vast, silent emptiness of space, our world is not just rock and water, but a living, breathing entity—a fragile, beautiful anomaly in the grand, indifferent cosmos.

Earth's story is one of resilience, adaptation, and wonder. As stewards of this planet, it is our responsibility to protect its delicate balance for future generations.

Fun Fact

Earth is the only planet not named after a Roman or Greek god - it comes from Old English and Germanic words meaning 'ground'!