How old is the surface of earth

Fresher in the middle. Physicists have calculated that the centre of the Earth is two-and-a-half years younger than its surface, thanks to the effects of gravity as described by general relativity. The idea has been rigorously tested and has an impact on GPS satellites. The starting point for reverse maths is a base theory that is strong enough to state the theorems of interest, but not strong enough to prove them.

Further global warming will cause more trouble, but there is much we can still do. Italian example shows how investment in rail can drastically cut traffic on air routes. Science fiction writers give us a glimpse into the possible worlds that await us. Stuart Mathieson: International efforts can have an effect within our lifetimes. Please update your payment details to keep enjoying your Irish Times subscription.

Changing views on the age of planet Earth We currently believe the age to be about 4. Peter Lynch. More from The Irish Times Health. Home energy upgrades are now more important than ever. Commenting on The Irish Times has changed. To comment you must now be an Irish Times subscriber. The account details entered are not currently associated with an Irish Times subscription. Please subscribe to sign in to comment. You should receive instructions for resetting your password. When you have reset your password, you can Sign In.

Please choose a screen name. This name will appear beside any comments you post. The name Earth is at least 1, years old. All of the planets, except for Earth, were named after Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. Potential for Life. Earth has a very hospitable temperature and mix of chemicals that have made life abundant here.

Most notably, Earth is unique in that most of our planet is covered in liquid water, since the temperature allows liquid water to exist for extended periods of time. Earth's vast oceans provided a convenient place for life to begin about 3. Some of the features of our planet that make it great for sustaining life are changing due to the ongoing effects of climate change. To find out more visit our sister website, climate.

With a radius of 3, miles 6, kilometers , Earth is the biggest of the terrestrial planets and the fifth largest planet overall. From an average distance of 93 million miles million kilometers , Earth is exactly one astronomical unit away from the Sun because one astronomical unit abbreviated as AU , is the distance from the Sun to Earth.

This unit provides an easy way to quickly compare planets' distances from the Sun. As Earth orbits the Sun, it completes one rotation every It takes That extra quarter of a day presents a challenge to our calendar system, which counts one year as days.

To keep our yearly calendars consistent with our orbit around the Sun, every four years we add one day. That day is called a leap day, and the year it's added to is called a leap year. Earth's axis of rotation is tilted This tilt causes our yearly cycle of seasons.

During part of the year, the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, and the southern hemisphere is tilted away. With the Sun higher in the sky, solar heating is greater in the north producing summer there. Less direct solar heating produces winter in the south. Six months later, the situation is reversed. When spring and fall begin, both hemispheres receive roughly equal amounts of heat from the Sun. Earth is the only planet that has a single moon.

Our Moon is the brightest and most familiar object in the night sky. A lot of individual rocks have been found that are much older. But Matmon's team dated the entire surface as a "geomorphic feature," he told LiveScience. The results show that in regions that are extremely flat and arid, where tectonic activity is low and rocks are highly resistant to weathering, the surface can be preserved for millions of years, Matmon said.