INTRODUCTION

TO EARTH
• From the perspective we get on earth, our planet appear to be big
and sturdy with an endless ocean of air. From space, astronauts often
get the impression that the earth is small and thin , fragile layer of
atmosphere. For a space traveller, the distinguishing Earth features
are the blue waters, brown and green land masses and white clouds
set against a black background.
• Many dream of travelling in space and viewing the wonders of the
universe. In reality all of us are space travellers. Our spaceship is the
planet Earth, travelling at the speed of 108,000 kilometres (67,000
miles) an hour.
• Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun at a distance of about 150 million
kilometres (93.2 million miles ).It takes 365.256 days of the Earth to
travel around the Sun and 23.9345 hours for the Earth rotate a
complete revolution. It has a diameter of 12,756 kilometres (7,973
miles), only a few kilometers larger than that of Venus. Our
atmosphere is composed of 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen
and 1 percent other contituents.
• Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to harbour life. 0ur
planet’s rapid spin and molten nickel-iron core rise to an extensive
magnetic field, which, along with the atmosphere, shields us from
nearly harmful radiation coming from the sun and other stars. Earth’s
atmosphere protects us from meteors, most of which burn up before
they can strike the surface.
• From our journeys into space, we have learned much about our home
planet. The first American satellite, explorer 1, discovered an intense
radiation zone, now called Van Allen radiation zone belts. This layer is
formed rapidly moving charged particles that are trapped by the
earths magnetic field in a doughnut-shaped region surrounding the
equator. Other findings from satellite show that our planet’s magnetic
field distorted into a teardrop shape by the solar wind. We also now
know that our wispy upper atmosphere, once believed calm and
uneventful, seethes activity-swelling by day and contracting by night.
Affected by changes in solar activity, the upper atmosphere
contributes to weather and climate on earth.
• Besides affecting earths weather, solar activity gives rise to a
dramatic visual phenomenon in our atmosphere. When charged
particle from the solar wind become trapped in Earth’s magnetic field,
they collide with air molecules above our planet’s poles. These air
molecules then begin to glow and are known as the auroras or the
northern lights.