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This unreflected solar radiation is turned into infrared radiation, or heat. Most of the energy reaches the troposphere as visible light, infrared radiation, and a small amount of ultraviolet radiation that wasn't absorbed by the stratosphere. About 34% of the solar energy reaching the troposphere is reflected back into space by clouds, dust, chemicals. Earth receives only about one-billionth of the sun's energy. This energy travels at the speed of light and reaches Earth in slightly more than 8 minutes. Tremendous pressure and temperatures in its inner core fuses the hydrogen nuclei and forms helium, releasing enormous amounts of energy. The sun is a huge ball of hydrogen (72%) and helium (28%) gases. Solar energy drives the climate and weather systems of our planet. Our sun is the source of energy for life. However, particles of the atmosphere are found 1,000 miles (1,600 km.) in space above the planet's surface. More than 99% of earth's atmosphere is less than 50 miles (80 km.) high. Ozone filters out most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. The stratosphere, or outer layer, stretches 11-30 miles above sea level and contains ozone (O3). It contains most of the planet's air, which consists of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). Its inner layer is called the troposphere and reaches only 11 miles above sea level. The atmosphere is a thin, gaseous layer of air that envelops the planet. Temperatures of - 128° F (-89° C) have been recorded at Vostok station in Antarctica. The highest temperatures on Earth have reached 136° F (58° C) at Al Asisiyah, Libya.

Water covers approximately 139,500,000 square miles, or 71% of the total surface area. Approximately 57,300,000 square miles, or 29% of the total surface area is land. Earth's axis is tilted at a 23.5° angle.Įarth has a total surface area of 196,800,000 square miles.

WWW BLUE PLANET BIOMES FULL

It makes one full revolution around the sun every 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.45 seconds. The planet rotates once every 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.09 seconds. It is estimated to be over 4.5 billion years old.

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