Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. About 29% of Earth's surface is land consisting of continents and islands. The remaining 71% is covered with water, mostly by oceans but also lakes, rivers and other fresh water, which together constitute the hydrosphere. Much of the polar regions of the Earth are covered in ice.

The outer layer of the Earth is divided into several rigid tectonic plates that migrate across the surface over the course of many millions of years. The interior of the Earth remains active with a solid iron inner core, a liquid outer core that generates the magnetic field surrounding the Earth, and a convecting mantle that drives plate tectonics.

Discovered: Adam

Date Discovered: 01 October 4026 BCE

Planet Type: Terrestrial Planet

Average Distance from Sun: 93 million miles

Equatorial Diameter: 7922 miles

Axil Tilt (to orbit): 23.4392811 °

Inclination to Ecliptic: 0.00005 °

Length of Day (rotation period): 24 hours

Length of Year (orbital period): 365.256363 days

Orbital Eccentricity: ~0.017

Surface Gravity (amount times Earth gravity): 1

Surface Temperature: -128 ° F. to 134 ° F.

Moons: 1

Rings: None

For more about the Earth′s Moon and additional photo, please see The Moon Information and Gallery Page Index.