Earth, Sun and Moon. Artwork of the Earth, Sun and Moon seen from space. Earth is centred on Europe. Earth is the third planet from the Sun. It is thought to be the only planet in the solar system that can support life. The Moon (upper right) has a diameter just over a quarter of the Earths. It orbits at a distance of around 385,000 kilometres, taking nearly 30 days for one orbit. It does not have an atmosphere and is a heavily cratered and barren piece of rock. The EarthMoon system orbits the Sun (upper centre) at a distance of about 150 million kilometres. The bright band of the Milky Way runs across the background.
