Trajectory of Earth around theSun. For objects orbiting Earth, see Geocentric orbit. Not to be confused with Earth orbit (disambiguation).Sun are exactly perpendicular to one another). The solstices and equinoxes divide the year up into four approximately equal parts. Earth – ourhomeplanet – isthe third planet from theSun, and the fifth largest planet.8 Need-to-Know Things About OurHomePlanet. Measuring Up If theSun were as tall as a typical front door, Earth would bethe size of a nickel. The third planet from thesun, Earthisthe only place in the known universe confirmed to host life. With a radius of 3,959 miles, Earthisthe fifth largest planet in our solar system, and it's the only one known for sure to have liquid water on its surface. Without theSun, life as we know it would not be possible on ourplanet. TheSunisthe engine behind much of Earth’s environment, providing energy for everything from ocean currents and weather patterns to the plants and algae that form the base of many food chains. Howfaraway it is: 93 million miles (150 million km).Over 1 million Earths could fit inside thesun. Thesun may look yellow from Earth, but it actually releases every color of light, meaning its true color is white . Thesun is unique in that it's the only star in our solar system. Earth warmer when furtheraway.What actually causes seasons is that ourplanet is tilted over by 23.5 degrees, known as its “axial tilt”. As we spin around thesun, at different points of the year the North Pole is either tilting towards or away from thesun, although never directly at it.
