Explore Earth

Student Planet Facts

Earth and the continent of Africa Earth, our home planet is teeming with life and wonderous things. We have studied Earth more than any other planet yet there is still more to be discovered. Here are some facts and other places you can find information about the Earth. When you are ready, click back to return to the Student Center or click below to explore again.

Field Trip to Mars, Mars Features on Earth
is a self-guided excursion to view various sites located on or near the central plateau of Washington that correlate to features found on Mars.
Included is a section on volcanoes with a page about Mount St Helens, an active volcano that "blew its top" in 1980. Also included is information on Mars Pathfinder, earthquakes, giant floods, sand dunes, lava flows, dust devils, and geological background material. Click image or here to go to Field Trip to Mars.

How much would you weigh on the Moon?

Type your weight above, then click Go! On the Moon, you would weigh about:

Gravity and You
Your weight on Earth is determined by your mass and Earth's mass. Would you weigh more or less on the Moon?

Planet Names
Why are the planets named for Roman gods? What is the story or myth about their names? Click image or here for Planet Myths and Lore.

Close Encounter with Mars
Every two years or so the Sun, Earth and Mars line up. This is called an opposition. In 2003 Earth and Mars will be really close. Click image or here for Mars Opposition 2003 page. (Hubble ST image)

Are There Planets Like Earth Around Other Stars?
The first planet outside of our solar system was discovered around 51 Pegasi, a small star in the constellation Pegasus. Since then more than 100 planets have been found. For more information on how astronomers discover new planets click image or here NASA/JPL Planetquest.

Could the Earth and an Asteroid collide? See what scientists know about Near-Earth Objects.	Can't Find It? Ask Cosmos, the Research Robot.

New! Click here to find out about "The Professor's Telescope", a new book by Chris Moreau, one of our advisors. Take an adventure with Eric to Saturn!

A portion of the proceeds will help support Kid's Cosmos.

Quick Facts about Earth

Topic

Data

Diameter

12,756.28 km

Density

5.515 g/cm³

Mass

5.976 x 10²⁴ kg

Volume

1.087 x 10¹² km³

Temperature Range

-69° C to 58° C

Atmosphere

Mostly Nitrogen and Oxygen

Winds

483 km/hr

Moons

One

Average Distance from Sun

149,597,870 km

Orbital Period

1 Year, 0 Days, 0 Hours

Rotation

23 Hours 56.1 Min

Tilt

23.45°

Rings

None

Composition

Iron Core, Silicate Surface

Magnetic Field

Up to 362000 km from Surface

Click below to find out more about the Moon and the Sun.

Moon Facts

Moon Phases

Eclipses

The external links will take you to another website by opening a new window.
Close the window to return to Kid's Cosmos.

The Nine Planets
NASA Planet Facts
Field Trip to Mars
Top
Back to Student Center

Kid's Cosmos...Expanding Minds Beyond the Limits of the Universe