| The Earth is our home. It is the third planet from the Sun and it is the largest of the terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars). It is only a few hundred kilometers larger than that of Venus. It is the only planet in the solar system which has water on the surface and supports life. Our atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation and burn up meteors before they strike the surface. Our atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other elements. The Earth's crust is made up of plates. Volcanic activities, earthquakes and mountain-building occur along plate boundaries. The core is made up of iron and nickel, which give rise to an extensive magnetic field. |
|
Earth Statistics:
Mass (kg): 5.98x1024 Diameter (km): 12756 Average Density (kg/m3): 5520 Escape Velocity (m/sec): 11200 Rotation Period (Earth days): 23.93 Tilt of Axis (o): 23.4 Orbit inclination (o): 0 Average Surface Temperature (oF): 57 Atmospheric Components: 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 1% Others Number of Satellites: 1 (Moon) Number of Rings: 0 |
 |
The moon is the only natural satellite of Earth. Neil Armstrong became the first man to step onto the surface of the Moon on July 20, 1969. It is 384400 km away from Earth. There is no water and air on the Moon and therefore it does not support life. The landscape is caused totally by meteorites. |
 |
Moon Statistics: Mass (kg): 7.349x1022 Average Density (g/cm3): 3.34 Rotational period (days): 27.32166 Tilt of Axis (o): 1.5424 Orbit inclination (o): 5.1454 |