How is the Earth similar to and different from other planets?

Planet Earth is the third planet away from the sun in our solar system and fifth largest planet, there are many differences that set it apart from the other planets.

Fun Facts:

Length of Day: 23.9 hrs

Length of year: 365.25 days

Size in diameter: 12,756km

Formed 4.54 billion years ago, Earth is the biggest of the four planets closest to the sun and made out of rocks and metal.

It is the only planet that is not named after a Greek or roman god and the name "Earth" simply means ground. This is particularly important as the Earth is the only planet in our solar system that is considered to be the most suitable for life - or so we think!

Let's compare planet Earth to two other planets in our solar system, Mars and Saturn.

There are some main keys points to consider when comparing Earth to these planets, but one main one is - which is the most compatible for life?

The answer is, Planet Earth!

On planet earth, you can breathe easy. The atmosphere is made up of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 1% other particles making it the perfect planet for a human to live on. It is also the only planet with liquid water on its surface which is critical for humans to live.

This also supports the growth of food for humans, animals and eco systems which are all critical for human survival.

Which planet is the most similar to the Earth's surface?

Mars!

It is said that Mars is the planet that scientists are most interested in exploring as it has a lot of similarities to the earth surface. Both have a rocky terrain with peaks valleys, have areas covered in ice, has seasonal changes throughout the year and have a similar composition with a high percentage of iron and nickel.

Both Earth and Mars have seasonal changes, can experience volcanoes and earthquakes which change their surface structure over time, and Mars even has wind!

Which planet is bigger?

Earth. This is one of the biggest differences between the two planets. At almost half the size, Mars diameter is 6778km.

Would you like to live on Mars?

Not anymore, currently it is believed that the average temperature is -65 degrees.

However, millions of years ago it is possible that it was much warmer. Scientists believe that just under Mars' North Pole there may be areas of warm that would make it possible for liquid water to exist.

The atmosphere of Mars is also made up of mostly Carbon Dioxide which is poisonous to humans.

Maybe one day scientists will find a way for human life to exist on Mars, but for now - I am happy on planet earth.

Earth vs. Saturn

How cool is Saturn?! No for real, Saturn is pretty with rings around it and amazing colours but it's actually really cool. It's surface temperature is -220 degrees Fahrenheit.

We can already conclude from that fact alone that Saturn is not suitable for human life.

Saturn looks completely different from any other planet in our solar system. The main features are the rings that surround the planet and its size.

Saturn's diameter is:

142,984km

This is 9.1 times bigger than earth and you could fit approximately 700 earths into Saturn.

There are not a lot of similiarites between Earth and Saturn, in fact there are more differences than there are similarities but a few facts to know are:

• They formed around the same time, about 4.6 million years ago

• Both planets have moons

• The gravity of both planets are pretty similar

• They both have a rocky surface

Weird Fact: Saturn has clouds, just like Earth.

I think I will stay on Earth, it sounds a lot more comfortable down here.