How big is from the sun, Earth is the fifth-largest planet in the solar system; only the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are bigger. Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planets of the inner solar system, larger than Mercury, Venus, and Mars. But how big is Earth, exactly?
Earth is the third planet from the sun, the fifth largest planet in the solar system, and only the gas giants Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter are bigger. Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planets of the solar system, bigger than Mercury, Venus, and Mars. But exactly how big is Earth?
Earth, the planet that holds forth by the inner solar system, is the third planet from the sun; only Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are larger. Earth is on the cusp of the terrestrial planets of the inner solar system, larger than Mercury, Venus, and Mars. But how big is Earth?
RADIUS, DIAMETER, S, AND CIRCUMFERENCE
How big is Space Flight Center in Maryland classifies Earth as a sphere with a radius of 3,963 miles (6,378 km). Earth’s bulge at the equator causes its radius at the equator to become 3,950 miles (6,356 km) a difference of 13 miles (22 km).
Over the course of a year, the equator of Earth lies at 3,963 miles (6,378 kilometers) in orbit. However, Earth is not spherical; its curving causes it to bulge at the equator. The polar radius of Earth is 3950 miles (6356 km) a difference of 13 miles (22 km).
The altitude of Earth’s equator is 3963 miles (6378 km), as calculated by the Center for Space Research at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; however, How big is Earth a perfect sphere? Earth’s rotation causes it to increase ever so slightly at the equator. Earth’s equatorial radius is 3950 miles (6356 km) a distance that is only 13 miles (22 km) greater.
These numbers indicate that Earth is just slightly smaller than Jupiter, with an equatorial radius of 3,761 miles (6,052 km). Mars is much smaller than Earth and Venus, with an equatorial radius of just 2,110 miles (3,396 km). But Earth and the other four rocky planets are much smaller than the gas giants. For example, more than 1,300 Earths could fit within the combined equatorial radii of Jupiter and Saturn.
So is the equatorial radius of Earth 3,761 miles (6,052 km)(opens in new tab)? Does Mars’ radius account for 2,110 miles (3,396 km)(opens in new tab)? But Earth and other rocky planets are far smaller than the gas giants. For example, close to 1300 Earths could fit inside a single Jupiter.
Composing these numbers indicates just why Earth is only slightly larger than the fellow space rock Venus, whose equatorial breadth fluctuates from around 3,660 miles (6,062 km) to 3,761 miles (6,052 km). Mars, on the other hand, has less of an equatorial diameter than Earth and Venus, reaching a mere 2,110 miles (3,396 km). That said, the planet and the other rocky bodies in the solar system are much smaller than the gas giants. For instance, no less than 1300 Earths would match into one Jupiter.