Earth- THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE PLANET

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the fifth largest. Home to the human species, it is also referred to as "Planet Earth", "Gaia", "Terra", and "the World". 71% of the Earth's surface is covered with water. The Earth is the first planet known to have liquid water on the surface and is the only place in the universe known to harbor life. The heat capacity of the oceans is also very important in keeping the Earth's temperature relatively stable. The Earth formed around 4.57 billion years ago. At present, the Earth orbits the Sun once for every 366.26 times it rotates about its axis (which is equal to 365.26 solar days). The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23.5 (away from the perpendicular to its orbital plane), producing seasonal variations on the planet's surface. The Earth is divided into several layers which have distinct chemical and seismic properties. The crust varies considerably in thickness, it is thinner under the oceans, thicker under the continents. Unlike the other terrestrial planets, Earth's crust is divided into several separate solid plates which float around independently on top of the hot mantle below. The Earth's atmosphere is 77% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, with traces of argon, carbon dioxide and water. Earth has a magnetic field that, together with a primarily nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, protects the surface from radiation that is harmful to life.

Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars