The Kola Superdeep Borehole was a project in the 1970s to uncover the composition of Earth by boring deep into its crust. Driven by Cold War competition, the Soviets chose the remote north to reduce the temperatures the tools would encounter. The mission managed to go 7.6 miles into Earth’s crust, the deepest human-made hole on Earth. Watch here.
How they figured out plate tectonics
The now well-established theory of plate tectonics—which claims Earth’s continental crust has drifted over time—was laughed at as recently as the mid-20th century. This video explores the origins and evolution of the idea that the continents didn’t always look like that, explaining how technologies were deployed to figure it out. Watch here.
The overview effect: how seeing Earth from space changes you
Astronauts regularly report paradigm shifts after seeing Earth from space. This phenomenon, known as the “overview effect,” can prompt big philosophical changes. For astronaut Ron Garan, this effect made him realize the interconnectedness and fragility of life and revealed that humanity is a planetary species. Read more in this article.
What are the odds of life beyond Earth?
In 1961, Frank Drake, Carl Sagan, and several other scientists gathered to form the Search for Extra-Terrerestrial Intelligence initiative. Part of that process was Drake’s equation, a formula used to calculate the number of exoplanets able to sustain life. This article breaks down the different conditions that impact the probability of life forms evolving elsewhere in the cosmos.
Worldwide names for Earth
The word “Earth” is rooted in German and evolved via Middle English, meaning the ground. In English, “Earth” means both the planet and the land—but in many languages, there are distinct words. This map—oriented in an atypical but in some ways more accurate projection—showcases different names for Earth across the world. Check it out here.
Visible moments of Earth through satellite images
A lot is happening on the planet at any given time. This fascinating collection of space-based photos of Earth compiles shots of well-known locations and natural events to give a high-level view. For example, you can see how certain wildfires appeared from space or see the spread of a specific city over time. Get lost gazing at Earth here.
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