Earth
Earth
Planet · 1.00 AU from the Sun
Earth facts
- Type
- Planet
- Distance from the Sun
- 1.00 AU (1.5 × 10⁸ km)
- Orbital period (year)
- 1.00 Earth years
- Diameter
- 12,742 km
- Mass
- 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg
- Moons
- 1
- Rotation period (day)
- 23.9 hours
- Axial tilt
- 23.44°
- Mean temperature
- 15 °C
- Discovered
- Home
Orbit
About Earth
Earth is the third planet and the only world known to harbour life. Liquid water covers most of its surface, and a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere shields it and keeps temperatures moderate. It is the densest planet and the largest of the four rocky worlds.
- Named after the Old English word for ground or soil
- Discovered: Home
Earth: frequently asked questions
- What is Earth?
- Earth is a planet in our Solar System, orbiting the Sun at an average distance of 1.00 AU (1.5 × 10⁸ km). Earth is the third planet and the only world known to harbour life.
- How far is Earth from the Sun?
- Earth orbits the Sun at an average distance of 1.00 AU, about 1.5 × 10⁸ km. One AU is the Earth-Sun distance, so Earth is roughly 1.0 times Earth's distance from the Sun.
- How many moons does Earth have?
- Earth has 1 known moon.
- How big is Earth?
- Earth has a diameter of about 12,742 km and a mass of roughly 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg.
See Earth in motion
Data from NASA/JPL and NSSDCA. Source.