Earth is the third planet from the Sun located in the Milky Way galaxy, which is part of the Local Group of galaxies within the Virgo Supercluster. As a terrestrial planet, Earth orbits the Sun within the habitable zone and has an atmosphere, seasons, and tidal patterns influenced by its position in relation to the Sun and Moon. Earth science encompasses the study of our planet and its systems, as well as its connections to the surrounding space environment and universe.

1. EARTH
AND
SPACE
Nerissa C. Rueda, MASciEd

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 fifth-largest planet in the solar
system
 smaller than the four gas giants -
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptun
e — but larger than the three other
rocky
planets, Mercury, Mars and Venus
 has a diameter of roughly 8,000
miles (13,000 kilometers)
EARTH
The image of Earth in space like a blue marble highlights the planet's fragility and the beauty
of Earth .
(Image credit: NASA)

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While Earth orbits the sun, the planet is
simultaneously spinning around an imaginary line
called an axis that runs through the core, from the
North Pole to the South Pole.
It takes Earth 23.934 hours to complete a
rotation on its axis and 365.26 days to complete an
orbit around the sun — our days and years on
Earth are defined by these gyrations.
PLANET EARTH'S ORBIT AROUND
THE SUN

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 Earth's axis of rotation is tilted in relation
to the ecliptic plane, an imaginary
surface through the planet's orbit around
the sun.
 Earth happens to orbit the sun within the
so-called “Goldilocks zone,” where
temperatures are just right to maintain
liquid water on our planet's surface.
 Our planet is a bit closer to the sun in
early January and farther away in July,
although this proximity has a much
smaller effect on the temperatures we
experience on the planet's surface than
does the tilt of Earth's axis. Planets in the solar system follow different orbit lines
around the sun. (Image credit: Getty)

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•Average distance from the sun: 92,956,050 miles
(149,598,262 km)
•Perihelion (closest approach to the sun): 91,402,640
miles (147,098,291 km)
•Aphelion (farthest distance from the sun): 94,509,460
miles (152,098,233 km)
•Length of solar day (single rotation on its axis): 23.934
hours
•Length of year (single revolution around the sun):
365.26 days
•Equatorial inclination to orbit: 23.4393 degrees
Statistics about Earth's orbit, according to NASA:

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 Three-dimensional realm in which all objects and events
occur. It is also sometimes referred to as the vacuum of
space, as it is essentially empty of matter.
 A vast and mysterious place. It is estimated to be about 13.8
billion light-years across, and it is still expanding. The universe
contains billions of galaxies, each of which contains billions of
stars. There are also many other objects in space, such as
planets, asteroids, comets, and dust.
 A very important part of our universe. It is the medium through
which light travels, and it is also the place where gravity works.
Without space, there would be no universe as we know it.
SPACE

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 Outer space: The region beyond Earth's
atmosphere.
 Interplanetary space: The space between
planets.
 Interstellar space: The space between stars.
 Intergalactic space: The space between
galaxies.
Here are some of the different types of space:

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How is earth connected to space?
Earth is, for the main part, connected to space via the magnetic poles.
When electrically charged particles from space bombard our planet,
visible light occurs; i.e. aurora borealis in the Northern hemisphere or
aurora australis in the Southern hemisphere.
But as these electrically charged particles hit the atmosphere, this can
interfere with communication systems. In addition, particle showers from
space can lead to power outages and the destruction of transformers on
the ground.
EARTH & SPACE

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broad field that encompasses the study of our planet, its
atmosphere, oceans, and life; the solar system and the
stars and galaxies beyond; and the fundamental laws of
physics and chemistry that govern all of these systems
 vital field of study that helps us to understand our place
in the universe and the challenges that we face as a
global community. It is also a fascinating and rewarding
field of study that offers a wide range of career
opportunities
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

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Space and earth science are related in numerous ways,
primarily in regards to planetary temperature and ocean
tides. Asteroids and other space debris can further
influence life on Earth when they enter the atmosphere.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPACE AND
EARTH SCIENCE

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Life on Earth does not occur in a vacuum. The relationship between
space and earth science is critical for the support of animals and
vegetation. For example, the seasons are determined according to
Earth's location along its orbital path around the Sun. Likewise, days and
nights are determined by Earth's rotation on its axis. Without light and
energy from the Sun, mankind would not have the ability to grow crops,
raise livestock, or even survive in certain geographic areas.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPACE AND
EARTH SCIENCE

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Similarly, space and earth science are further connected because the moon
influences ocean tides. As the Earth spins, it creates a centrifugal force that directly
competes with the moon's gravitational pull. High tide and low tide are determined
by where the Earth is in its daily rotation, compared to the gravitational pull of the
moon. When an area of the Earth is directly in line with the moon, either
gravitational pull from the moon or the centrifugal force of the Earth creates high
tide, depending on which side of the planet faces the moon. Other areas experience
low tide during this same time.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPACE AND
EARTH SCIENCE

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Earth is located in the universe in the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.
A supercluster is a group of galaxies held together by gravity. Within
this supercluster we are in a smaller group of galaxies called the
Local Group. Earth is in the second largest galaxy of the Local
Group - a galaxy called the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a large
spiral galaxy. Earth is located in one of the spiral arms of the Milky
Way (called the Orion Arm) which lies about two-thirds of the way
out from the center of the Galaxy. Here we are part of the Solar
System - a group of eight planets, as well as numerous comets and
asteroids and dwarf planets which orbit the Sun. We are the third
planet from the Sun in the Solar System.
WHAT IS EARTH'S LOCATION IN
SPACE?

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