Earth
Our home planet is the third planet from the Sun.
While Earth is only the fifth largest planet in the solar system, it is the only world in our solar system with liquid water on the surface. Just slightly larger than nearby Venus, Earth is the biggest of the four planets closest to the Sun, all of which are made of rock and metal.
Earth is the only planet in the Solar System whose English name does not come from Greek or Roman mythology. The name was taken from Old English and Germanic. It simply means "the ground." There are, of course, many names for our planet in the thousands of languages spoken by the people of the third planet from the Sun.
The information published here was produced by NASA.
Please visit NASA Space Place for more kid-friendly facts.
Welcome to The Dancing Bear Sanctuary
#1 - Measuring Up
If the Sun were as tall as a typical front door, Earth would be the size of a nickel.
#2 - Third Rock
Earth orbits our Sun, a star. Earth is the third planet from the Sun at a distance of about 93 million miles (150 million km).
#3 - As the World Turns
A day on Earth is 24 hours. Earth makes a complete orbit around the sun (a year in Earth time) in about 365 days.
#4 - We're On It
Earth is a rocky planet with a solid and dynamic surface of mountains, canyons, plains and more. Most of our planet is covered in water.
#5 - Breathe Easy
Earth's atmosphere is 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen and 1 percent other ingredients—the perfect balance to breathe and live.
#6 - Our Cosmic Companion
Earth has one Moon.
#7 - Ringless
Earth has no rings.
#8 - Orbital Science
Many orbiting spacecraft study the Earth from above as a whole system—observing the atmosphere, ocean, glaciers, and the solid earth.
#9 - Home, Sweet Home
Earth is the perfect place for life as we know it.
#10 - Protective Shield
Our atmosphere protects us from incoming meteoroids, most of which break up in our atmosphere before they can strike the surface.
Further information for the curious Star-sailors
We Are NASA
The Formation of the Solar System
NASA Skywatching
A short introductory video to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA Skywatching
The Formation of the Solar System
NASA Skywatching
Updated daily with information for stargazers and skywatchers
The Formation of the Solar System
The Formation of the Solar System
The Formation of the Solar System
Listen to the words of Stephen Hawking on the formation of our reality.
Planetary Overview
Our Solar System in the wiki
The Formation of the Solar System
Four unique, rocky worlds, two complex gas giants and two distant ice giants.
Our Solar System in the wiki
Our Solar System in the wiki
Our Solar System in the wiki
Check the basics in the Book of Knowledge
Solar System 101
Our Solar System in the wiki
Our Solar System in the wiki
A Short intro video