Welcome to Earth!
The living planet
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only world currently known to have life. It is your home in space, with liquid water, breathable air and a surface shaped by oceans, weather, volcanoes and living things.
Earth is the largest of the four inner planets and is kept company by one natural satellite: the Moon. It takes just over 365 days to orbit the Sun and almost 24 hours to spin once on its axis.
Earth quick facts
Position
Third planet from the Sun
Planet type
Terrestrial planet
Average distance
149,596,000 km
92,954,616 milesDiameter
12,742 km
7,918 milesDay length
23 hours, 56 mins
Year length
365.25 days
Temperature
Average: 16 °C / 61 °F
Min: -89.2 °C / -128.6°F
Max: 56.7 °C / 134.1 °F
Moons
Earth in context
Where is Earth?
Earth is the third planet from the Sun. It orbits between Venus and Mars and takes just over 365 days to complete one journey around the Sun.
Explore Earth
Find out more about Earth by exploring life, seasons, the story of our planet and some fascinating facts about our home in space.
Why is there life on Earth?
Discover why Earth has the right conditions for life, including liquid water, a protective atmosphere and energy from the Sun.
Explore life on Earth →The Story of Earth
Follow Earth’s long story, from its violent formation to the living world we know today — and its far distant future.
Read Earth's story →A Year on Earth
Find out how Earth’s tilted axis creates the seasons as our planet travels around the Sun.
Explore Earth's seasons →Fifteen Facts about Earth
A quick collection of fascinating facts about the only planet currently known to have life.
Read Earth facts →Earth's Moon
Visit Earth’s only natural satellite and discover how it formed, orbits Earth and affects our planet.
Visit the Moon section →
