Latest News About Earth
Satellites help map Antarctica's subglacial surface like never before
January 15, 2026
Understanding Antarctica's topography beneath the ice is crucial to predicting ice loss and sea level rise. Read more
The US isn't prepared for a big solar storm, exercise finds
December 14, 2025
We need more satellites to keep tabs on incoming clouds of solar particles. Read more
Earth and solar system may have been shaped by nearby exploding star
December 11, 2025
A new explanation for the solar system's radioactive elements suggests Earth-like planets might be found orbiting up to 50 per cent of sun-like stars Read more
Earth's newfound 'episodic-squishy lid' may guide our search for habitable worlds
November 30, 2025
A newly discovered tectonic "regime" may explain why Earth has active plates while Venus remains stagnant. Read more
Scientists put moss on the outside of the International Space Station for 9 months — then kept it growing back on Earth
November 20, 2025
80% of the samples kept reproducing when returned to Earth. Read more
Scientists find a surprising twist in Earth's magnetic field
November 13, 2025
Simulations and satellite data reveal that Earth's magnetic field is more complex than scientists had thought. Read more
Will Earth have 2 moons orbiting it?
October 22, 2025
Astronomers explain the 'quasi-moon' Read more
Swarm reveals growing weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field
October 13, 2025
The weak region in Earth's magnetic field has expanded by an area nearly half the size of continental Europe since 2014. Read more
Scientists discover Earth's oldest impact crater in Australia
October 3, 2025
"This is a major breakthrough in understanding early Earth" Read more
Earth may not be so special after all, new study finds
September 25, 2025
Our solar system contain far less surface water than scientists once believed Read more
It came from outer space: Scientists solve decades-long mystery of the Silverpit Crater
September 23, 2025
"It is very rewarding to have finally found the silver bullet." Read more
'God of Chaos' asteroid Apophis will fly by Earth in April 2029
September 19, 2025
Ramses, DESTINY+ and OSIRIS-APEX will have a ringside seat for the encounter, if all goes to plan. Read more
Mysterious changes near Earth’s core revealed by satellites in space
September 16, 2025
Orbiters can pick up gravitational shifts thousands of kilometres below the surface. Read more
The ocean carbon sink is ailing
September 2, 2025
10% drop in CO₂ absorption seen during record 2023 marine heat wave Read more
Ocean sediments might support theory that comet impact triggered Younger Dryas cool-off
August 6, 2025
New findings show debris geochemistry is consistent with comet dust Read more
Earth's 'oldest' impact crater is much younger than previously thought, new study finds
August 5, 2025
Unravelling Earth’s 4.5-billion-year history with rocks is tricky business. Read more
Space hurricanes are real — and they wreak more havoc than we thought
August 4, 2025
They can shake Earth's magnetic field and scramble satellites without a solar storm in sight Read more
Scientists use X-rays to remotely measure magnetic reconnection in near-Earth space
July 22, 2025
X-rays could be used as a novel space weather diagnostic tool Read more
Earth will spin faster today to create 2nd-shortest day in history
July 21, 2025
Our planet has been rotating at its fastest since records began in 1973. Read more
Meteor impact may have triggered massive Grand Canyon landslide
July 18, 2025
A massive landslide would have dammed the Colorado River, forming a deep lake that has since dried up. Read more
Earth may be trapped inside a giant void in space, say scientists
July 8, 2025
Discovering we're living alone could solve one of the biggest problems in space science Read more
A newly forming ocean may split Africa apart, scientists say
July 2, 2025
"This has profound implications for how we interpret surface volcanism, earthquake activity and the process of continental breakup." Read more
NASA satellite sees sea ice crack apart in Canada
June 18, 2025
NASA's Terra satellite captured huge chunks of sea ice breaking apart in Canada's Amundsen Gulf Read more
A passing star could fling Earth out of orbit
May 28, 2025
Distant Pluto is in even bigger trouble, simulations suggest Read more
When lightning bolts collide, do they unleash powerful gamma-ray flashes?
May 23, 2025
Explosions typically connected to black holes and dying stars may happen right in our planet's atmosphere, too. Read more
Fascinating Facts About Earth
- If the sun were as tall as a typical front door, Earth would be the size of a nickel.
- Earth completes an orbit of the Sun every 365.25 days; this is where the 366th day of the leap year comes from, and we add it to keep yearly calendars consistent with our orbit around the sun.
- Earth is the only planet not named after a god or goddess.
- Earth is different from the other rocky planets because 70 percent of its surface is covered in oceans. Although most of the Earth’s surface is covered in oceans, water only makes up 0.13% of the total volume of the planet. Hence, if Earth was the size of a basketball, all the water in the world would amount to two teaspoons.
- Earth's atmosphere protects us from incoming meteoroids, most of which break up in our atmosphere before they can strike the surface as meteorites.
- The first being to orbit the Earth was Laika the dog in 1957. A few years later, dogs Belka and Strelka became the first creatures to return from space alive.
- Earth is the densest planet with a density of 5.52 grams per cubic centimeter. The density of water is 1 gram per cubic centimeter.
Missions
Ice, Clouds, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) (2018)
Mission to measure the height of a changing Earth
Soil Moisture Active Passive (2014)
Mission to provide soil moisture and freeze/thaw measurements
ISS-RapidScat (2014)
Mission to measure near-surface ocean wind speed and direction
Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) (2014)
Mission to study atmospheric carbon dioxide
Landsat 8 (2013)
Mission to monitor, understand and manage resources
Airborne Tropical Tropopause Experiment (ATTREX) (2013)
Mission to study moisture and chemical composition of upper atmosphere
Van Allen Probes (2012)
Mission to study Van Allen Radiation Belts around Earth
Suomi NPP (2011)
Mission to acquire land, ocean and atmospheric measurements
Glory (2011)
Mission to understand climate system
DISCOVER-AQ (2011)
Mission to measure difference in air quality in upper atmosphere and near surface
Aquarius (2011)
Mission to measure sea surface salinity
IceBridge (2009)
Mission to produce three-dimensional view of Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets
NOAA-N Prime (2009)
Mission to improve weather forecasting and monitor environmental events
ARCTAS (2008)
Mission to study effect of air pollution in the Arctic
CloudSat (2006)
Mission to study role of clouds and atmospheric aerosols in climate, weather and air quality regulation
Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) (2006)
Mission to study role of clouds and atmospheric aerosols in climate, weather and air quality regulation
SERVIR (2005)
Mission to provide monitoring, imaging and mapping data and geospatial information
NOAA-N (2005)
Mission to collect information about the atmosphere and environment
Aura (2004)
Mission to study chemistry and dynamics of the atmosphere
Ice, Clouds, and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) (2003)
Mission to understand effect of atmosphere and climate change on polar masses
Aqua (2002)
Mission to collect a variety of global data sets from six observation instruments
Jason (2001)
Mission to continue study of ocean surface topography
Terra (1999)
Mission to collect observational data of Earth
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) (1997)
Mission to study rainfall for weather and climate research
Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) (1991)
Mission to study role of upper atmosphere in varying climate
Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (1983)
Network of specialized communications satellites to provide communication services to NASA spacecraft
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) (1975)
Mission to help meteorologists predict local weather events
Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite (POES) (1960)
Mission to provide operational climate data