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Earth from the ISS
Image: NASA
Earth
Part of Solar SystemMilky Way
Our home planet, and so far the only world known to have life and liquid water on its surface.
Earthrise
Image: NASA
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the largest of the four rocky planets. Oceans cover about 71% of its surface, and an atmosphere of nitrogen and oxygen keeps it warm and shields life from the Sun's harshest radiation. Its large Moon steadies the tilt of its axis, which gives us stable seasons.
Key facts
- Type
- Rocky planet
- Distance from the Sun
- About 150 million km (1 AU)
- Diameter
- 12,742 km
- Day
- 23 h 56 min
- Year
- 365.25 days
- Moons
- 1