The Earth in the Solar System
One of the principal features of planet Earth is its localization in the
Universe. Astronomy is the science that
interrelationships Earth and the outer space, is the discipline that studies
celestial bodies, their positions, movements and all related with them. This
science emphasizes the study of planets, stars (including the Sun), moons, asteroids,
meteors, galaxies, etc. All the phenomena that occurs in the big galaxy and the
features of astronomical objects has been studied from ancient to modern times.
To understand where we live, we need to know where is the Earth in the Solar
System and some of the peculiarities of this planetary system.
First of all, we should know that the Solar System where we live is located
in the Milky Way, in a small corner of this galaxy. Here, the Solar System is
surrounded by other stars, planets and others astronomical objects that are
relatively far away. Within the Solar System itself, there is the Sun, the
principal star and a group of planets that revolves around this star. One of
these planets are the Earth, the only with the necessary features (such as
water, temperatures, atmosphere and special gasses) to support life. In order
from the Sun, Earth is the third planet and the fifth largest planet.
Accompanying the Earth is the Moon, its only natural satellite. This planet is
the only with active tectonic plates and has a unique atmosphere that protects
it from the Sun, cosmic rays and other celestial bodies such as meteors.
Neighboring planets to Earth have their special features that distinguishes
them individually. The planets of the Solar System are subdivided into three
groups: the interior or terrestrial planets (with solid surface, composed by
silicates and located between the Sun and the Asteroid Belt), the exterior
planets or gas giants (lack solid surface, composed by gasses, mainly hydrogen,
helium and methane and are located beyond the Asteroid Belt) and dwarf planets
(minor or small planets, are smallest than Mercury, the smallest terrestrial
planet). The interior or terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth and
Mars; the exterior planets or gas giants are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and
Neptune; and some of dwarf planet are Pluto, Ceres, Eris and Charon.
Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun and lack an atmosphere, having
extreme hot and cold temperatures. Venus is the second planet from the Sun and
is the brightest celestial body in the sky due to its atmosphere rich in carbon
dioxide and clouds of sulfuric acid. Earth is the third planet from the Sun and
is the only that support different forms of living organisms, including humans;
it has large quantities of water and an atmosphere composed mainly by nitrogen
and oxygen. Mars, the red planet and the fourth from the Sun, contains the
Olympus Mont, the biggest volcano of the Solar System. Jupiter, the biggest
planet of the Solar System and the fifth from Sun has bands and the Great Red
Spot that is an atmospheric turbulence strong storms. Saturn, the sixth from the
Sun, is distinguished by its rings, composed by rocks and ice fragments that
revolve around the planet. Uranus, the seventh from the Sun, gets a blue-green
color due to the presence of methane in its atmosphere, and has a faint ring
system. Neptune, the eighth from the Sun, contains the strongest winds of the
Solar System, it is bluish due its atmosphere and also has a faint ring system.
Pluto is a dwarf planet and consists of icy materials due its remoteness from
the Sun.
Also, the Solar System its composed of other members. Natural
satellites, asteroids, comets and meteorites are part of the neighbors of this
planetary system. Natural satellites or moons are celestial bodies that revolve
around the planets, for example the Moon is the only natural satellite of the
Earth, but planets like Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus have 63, 61 and 27 ‘‘moons’’
respectively. The Asteroid Belt, that orbits between Mars and Jupiter contains
thousands of rocky objects. Meteorite are fragments of rocks that move around
the space that often collide with planets and moons, including the Earth.
Comets are small icy objects prevenient from the Oort cloud. We already know
general terms of the Solar Systems and it members, we can understand what occurs
around the planet where we live, the Earth, in a very small corner of the big
universe.
References:
Information:
Alonso J., Serie
Naturales. (1998). Descubrimiento 9 Ciencia Integrada.
Puerto Rico: Ediciones Santillana,
Inc.
Picture:
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