Earth

Earth (often referred to as "the Earth") is the third planet in the solar system in terms of distance from the Sun. It is the largest of its planetary system's terrestrial planets and the only place in the universe known to support life. The Earth was formed around 4.57 billion years ago and its largest natural satellite, the Moon, was orbiting it shortly thereafter, around 4.533 billion years ago.

The Earth's shape is that of an oblate spheroid, with an average diameter of about 12,742 km. It is the fifth largest planet in the solar system, leading some to claim that "it's a small world after all." Another theory claims that the Earth is "an upside down world".

It takes the Earth, on average, 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.091 seconds (one sidereal day) to rotate around the axis that connects the north and the south poles. This movement is usually undetectable to surface residents, although Loretta Swit claims, in The Muppet Show episode 502, that she can "feel the Earth move under [her] feet." In episode 314, Harry Belafonte explains that planetary motion is the result of human connection: "The question is, do I know who you are? Do you know who I am? Do we care about each other? Cause if we do, we can turn the world around."

Earth is often assumed to be the only place in the universe where life is absolutely known to exist, and there are many who claim that "we are all Earthlings". However, there have been many documented sightings of off-world residents, including visitors from Mars, Koozebane, Hyneria, and a galaxy far, far away.

Unbeknownst to most of the inhabitants of Earth (except for the dolphins and the mice), the planet is actually a highly advanced supercomputer constructed by Deep Thought for the purpose of determining the question to the ultimate answer of Life, the Universe and Everything. The planet was destroyed on a Thursday by a Vogon constructor fleet, to build a hyperspace bypass. Thanks to the brave actions of the two human survivors, Arthur Dent and Trillian, an exact copy of the Earth was constructed in its place.

Trivia

• The worst performer on Earth is Manny Kaye, the tuned clam player.