The earth is the third planet from the sun

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Earth: The Third Planet from the Sun

Position in the Solar System

Earth is the third planet from the Sun, situated at an average distance of approximately 150 million kilometers (1 Astronomical Unit) from our star 135. This positioning places Earth in the so-called "habitable zone," where conditions are just right for liquid water to exist, which is crucial for life as we know it 26.

Orbital Characteristics

Earth orbits the Sun in an almost circular elliptical path, maintaining an average distance of 149.6 million kilometers 34. The orbit's eccentricity, or deviation from a perfect circle, varies over long periods, affecting the planet's climate cycles . Earth completes one orbit around the Sun in about 365.24 days, which defines the length of a year .

Physical and Geological Features

Earth is unique among the planets in our solar system due to its abundant water and life-supporting atmosphere. Approximately 71% of Earth's surface is covered by water, earning it the nickname "the Blue Planet" 28. The planet's lithosphere is divided into several tectonic plates that move over geological timescales, contributing to the dynamic nature of its surface .

Composition and Structure

Earth's mass is about 5.977 × 10^27 grams, with an average radius of 6,371 kilometers . The planet's interior is composed of a solid iron inner core, a liquid outer core that generates a magnetic field, and a thick mantle . The surface is made up of various types of rocks and minerals, which are essential for human activities and the economy .

Historical and Cultural Significance

Throughout history, Earth has been referred to by various names such as Tellus, Gaia, and Terra, reflecting its importance in different cultures 17. The realization that Earth is the third planet from the Sun and not the center of the universe was a significant milestone in human understanding, fundamentally changing our perspective on our place in the cosmos .

Conclusion

Earth's position as the third planet from the Sun, combined with its unique physical and geological characteristics, makes it a singular haven for life in our solar system. Its dynamic environment, abundant water, and life-supporting atmosphere distinguish it from other planets, underscoring its importance not just to humanity but to the broader understanding of planetary science.

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Earth as a Planet

Earth has been referred by several names as Tellus (the Roman goddess of Earth and a symbol of fertility), Gaia (ancient Greek Earth goddess) and Terra, from the Latin meaning Earth. Earth is the third planet of our Solar System and is placed at a distance of about 150 million km from the Sun. The mean distance between Earth and Sun is used to measure distances within our Solar System. This is called an Astronomical Unit (AU). Detailed statistics of the earth are given in Tables 2.3, 2.5, and 2.6 (see Chap. 2).

Highly Cited

2014·

606citations

·Sreepat Jain

Our Haven, Planet Earth

Our home, the "Blue Planet," is a third-planet in our solar system with a hospitable climate for life, and 71% of its surface covered by water.

2014·

0citations

·R. Hékinian

Structure and Composition of Modern Earth

Modern Earth's structure and composition are shaped by a geoid, with deviations caused by nonuniform mass distribution and dynamic processes in the mantle and lithospheric shell.

2011·

1citation

·O. Sorokhtin et al.

Our Home, the Planet Earth

The earth,’ the abode of the only form of intelligent life in the universe of which we are aware, is a minor member of a system of nine planets, 40 or so moons and about 100 billion asteroids orbiting around the Sun, an average-size member of the 100-billion-star community making up our galaxy, the Milky Way. It is the third planet to the Sun, which it orbits, following an almost circular elliptical path maintaining an average distance of 1.5x108 km, with the longest and the shortest radii now being 1.53x108 km and 1.47x108 km respectively (Fig. 1). This orbit is subject to changes in its &dquo;eccentricity&dquo; (i.e., in how much it deviates from a circle) with periods of 105 and 4x105 years (Fig. 2A). In addition, the elliptical orbit itself slowly rotates as shown in Fig. 2B, in what we call the

1991·

0citations

·A. M. Celâl Şengör

Biological Photoresponses and Photoreceptors

Photoresponses and photoreceptors are essential for life on Earth, as they enable the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, which is essential for the development and maintenance of life on Earth.

1983·

0citations

·W. Shropshire

Elemental Analysis of Some Rock Samples from Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India

Rock samples from Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India, were analyzed for their chemical composition and mineral content, which can aid in understanding and utilizing the Earth's resources.

2013·

2citations

·S. Mullainathan et al.

Change from Without: Lessons from Other Countries, Systems, and Sectors

Europeans had to confront the idea that everything did not revolve around them, and the idea of change from without can help us do the same.

2010·

35citations

·A. Hargreaves

ENVIRONMENT CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE USE OF TECHNOLOGIES

Earth's biodiversity has expanded continuously, supporting 10-14 million species of life, and 7.2 billion humans depend upon its biosphere and minerals.

2015·

0citations

·R. Chaturvedi

The third planet

Primary school teacher trainees' understanding of Earth's sphericity, axis tilt, and temperature differences is often inaccurate, with misconceptions relating to distance from the sun and logical thinking.

1992·

22citations

·J. Ojala

Temperate Earth-sized planets transiting a nearby ultracool dwarf star

Three short-period Earth-sized planets have been observed transiting an ultracool dwarf star, with the third likely receiving significantly less irradiation than Earth.

Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2016·

476citations

·M. Gillon et al.

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