1. Earth's Density is 5.51 g/cm3
Earth is the densest of the eight planets in the Solar System, with an average density of 5.51 g/cm3. This is significantly higher than the other planets, which range from 0.6 g/cm3 for Saturn to 3.94 g/cm3 for Mars. This is due to Earth's large iron core, which makes up about 32% of its total mass. This high density also gives Earth its strong gravitational pull, which is responsible for keeping our atmosphere and oceans in place.
Also → Mars: A Terrestrial Planet with an Intriguing Surface
Advertisement2. China's Air Pollution: Seen from Space, Great Wall Invisible
Earth is a planet of incredible beauty and diversity, but it is also a planet of stark contrasts. From space, China's air pollution is a visible reminder of the environmental challenges we face, while the Great Wall of China, a testament to human ingenuity, remains invisible. This is a stark reminder of the power of human activity to both damage and protect our planet.
Also → Mercury: The Smallest Planet in Our Solar System
3. Earth's Days Are Actually Shorter Than 24 Hours
Earth's days are actually slightly shorter than 24 hours. In fact, the length of a day on Earth is 23 hours, 56 minutes, and four seconds. This discrepancy is due to the fact that the Earth's rotation is gradually slowing down, meaning that the length of a day is increasing by about 1.7 milliseconds per century. This phenomenon is known as "length of day" (LOD) change, and it is caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on the Earth's equatorial bulge.
Also → Neptune is the most massive planet in our Solar System
4. Earth is not a perfect sphere; it's an oblate spheroid
Earth is not a perfect sphere; instead, it is slightly flattened at the North and South Poles. This phenomenon is known as an oblate spheroid, which is a shape that is wider at the equator than it is at the poles. This is due to the centrifugal force of the Earth's rotation, which causes the equator to bulge outwards.
Also → Saturn: The Giant of the Solar System
Advertisement5. Earth's Surface is Much Smoother Than You Might Think
The Earth is much smoother than you might think - in fact, it's smoother than a bowling ball! This is because the Earth's surface is made up of a variety of different landforms, such as mountains, valleys, and plains, which all have different levels of elevation. The average elevation of the Earth's surface is 8,848 meters, which is much lower than the average bowling ball, which is usually around 12.2 centimeters. This means that the Earth's surface is much smoother than a bowling ball, and it's a great example of how the Earth's surface is constantly changing.
Also → Venus is Earth's Sister Planet
6. Earth's Continents Shifting Rapidly
Our planet Earth is constantly in motion, with its continents shifting an average of 2 centimeters each year. This movement is known as continental drift, and is caused by the Earth's tectonic plates shifting and colliding with each other. This process is responsible for the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and other geological features, as well as the creation of new oceanic crust. The movement of the continents is also responsible for the changing of the Earth's climate over time.
Also → Thomas Burnet: Earth's Shifting Surface Pioneer
7. Earth's Population Growing at an Astonishing Rate
Every day, an incredible 200,000 new lives enter the world. That's the equivalent of adding a city the size of San Francisco to the planet's population every single day. This means that Earth's population is growing at an astonishing rate, with the global population now estimated to be over 7.7 billion people.
Also → Pluto: The Second-Most-Massive Known Dwarf Planet
Advertisement8. A Place of Sorrow and Joy
Every second, two people around the world are taken away from their families and loved ones. This means that in the time it takes to read this sentence, four people have already passed away. Earth is a place of both joy and sorrow, and this sobering statistic serves as a reminder of the fragility of life.
Also → Antarctica: The Most Extreme Place on Earth
9. Earth is the Largest of the 4 Terrestrial Planets
Earth is the largest of the four terrestrial planets in the Solar System, dwarfing the other three - Mercury, Venus, and Mars - in size. It has a diameter of 12,742 km, making it almost twice as large as Venus, the second-largest terrestrial planet. Earth's mass is 5.97 x 10^24 kg, which is more than 80 times greater than that of Mercury, the smallest terrestrial planet.
Also → James Dwight Dana: Pioneer Geologist
10. The Blue Planet
Earth is an awe-inspiring planet, often referred to as the world or the Blue Planet. Its majestic blue hue is created by the reflection of sunlight off the vast oceans that cover 70% of its surface. This vibrant blue color is a reminder of the beauty and diversity of life that exists on Earth, from the depths of the oceans to the highest mountain peaks. It is a planet of immense natural beauty and a home to countless species of plants and animals.
