CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-US" class="no-js" itemtype="https://schema.org/Blog" itemscope> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1"> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1'/> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}</style> <title>How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic] - Earth How</title> <meta name="description" content="There is over 5500 tons of space junk above Earth’s surface. They mostly consist of small and medium debris within 700 - 36,000 km range in the atmosphere."/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://earthhow.com/space-junk/"/> <meta property="og:locale" content="en_US"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic] - Earth How"/> <meta property="og:description" content="There is over 5500 tons of space junk above Earth’s surface. They mostly consist of small and medium debris within 700 - 36,000 km range in the atmosphere."/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://earthhow.com/space-junk/"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Earth How"/> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2018-08-11T10:57:33+00:00"/> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-03-30T00:19:49+00:00"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-0.png"/> <meta property="og:image:width" content="678"/> <meta property="og:image:height" content="509"/> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/png"/> <meta name="author" content="earthhow"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@earth_how"/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@earth_how"/> <meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by"/> <meta name="twitter:data1" content="earthhow"/> <meta name="twitter:label2" content="Est. reading time"/> <meta name="twitter:data2" content="4 minutes"/> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/"},"author":{"name":"earthhow","@id":"https://earthhow.com/#/schema/person/4b59317e5d3ba21e675de70a79725fe3"},"headline":"How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic]","datePublished":"2018-08-11T10:57:33+00:00","dateModified":"2024-03-30T00:19:49+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/"},"wordCount":529,"commentCount":4,"publisher":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-0.png","articleSection":["Atmosphere","Outside Earth"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/","url":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/","name":"How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic] - Earth How","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-0.png","datePublished":"2018-08-11T10:57:33+00:00","dateModified":"2024-03-30T00:19:49+00:00","description":"There is over 5500 tons of space junk above Earth’s surface. They mostly consist of small and medium debris within 700 - 36,000 km range in the atmosphere.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://earthhow.com/space-junk/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#primaryimage","url":"https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-0.png","contentUrl":"https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-0.png","width":678,"height":509,"caption":"Space Junk"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://earthhow.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Atmosphere","item":"https://earthhow.com/category/atmosphere/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic]"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://earthhow.com/#website","url":"https://earthhow.com/","name":"Earth How","description":"Earth Explained","publisher":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://earthhow.com/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://earthhow.com/#organization","name":"Earth How","url":"https://earthhow.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https://earthhow.com/#/schema/logo/image/","url":"https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/EarthHowLogo.png","contentUrl":"https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/EarthHowLogo.png","width":460,"height":80,"caption":"Earth How"},"image":{"@id":"https://earthhow.com/#/schema/logo/image/"},"sameAs":["https://x.com/earth_how"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://earthhow.com/#/schema/person/4b59317e5d3ba21e675de70a79725fe3","name":"earthhow"}]}</script> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//scripts.mediavine.com'/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Earth How » Feed" href="https://earthhow.com/feed/"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Earth How » Comments Feed" href="https://earthhow.com/comments/feed/"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Earth How » How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic] Comments Feed" href="https://earthhow.com/space-junk/feed/"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="//earthhow.com/wp-content/cache/wpfc-minified/7ws98yux/445gh.css" media="all"/> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css'>.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}</style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css'>:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-1:var(--global-palette1);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-2:var(--global-palette2);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-3:var(--global-palette3);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-4:var(--global-palette4);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-5:var(--global-palette5);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-6:var(--global-palette6);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-7:var(--global-palette7);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-8:var(--global-palette8);--wp--preset--color--theme-palette-9:var(--global-palette9);--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:var(--global-font-size-small);--wp--preset--font-size--medium:var(--global-font-size-medium);--wp--preset--font-size--large:var(--global-font-size-large);--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--font-size--larger:var(--global-font-size-larger);--wp--preset--font-size--xxlarge:var(--global-font-size-xxlarge);--wp--preset--spacing--20:0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin:0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}</style> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="//earthhow.com/wp-content/cache/wpfc-minified/9icsh380/445g5.css" media="all"/> <style id='kadence-global-inline-css'>:root{--global-palette1:#2a7fb8;--global-palette2:#206ca2;--global-palette3:#232323;--global-palette4:#000000;--global-palette5:#000000;--global-palette6:#515151;--global-palette7:#ffffff;--global-palette8:#ffffff;--global-palette9:#ffffff;--global-palette9rgb:255, 255, 255;--global-palette-highlight:var(--global-palette1);--global-palette-highlight-alt:#0f5583;--global-palette-highlight-alt2:var(--global-palette9);--global-palette-btn-bg:var(--global-palette1);--global-palette-btn-bg-hover:var(--global-palette2);--global-palette-btn:var(--global-palette9);--global-palette-btn-hover:var(--global-palette9);--global-body-font-family:Inter, sans-serif;--global-heading-font-family:inherit;--global-primary-nav-font-family:inherit;--global-fallback-font:sans-serif;--global-display-fallback-font:sans-serif;--global-content-width:1200px;--global-content-wide-width:calc(1200px + 230px);--global-content-narrow-width:850px;--global-content-edge-padding:1.5rem;--global-content-boxed-padding:2rem;--global-calc-content-width:calc(1200px - var(--global-content-edge-padding) - var(--global-content-edge-padding) );--wp--style--global--content-size:var(--global-calc-content-width);}.wp-site-blocks{--global-vw:calc( 100vw - ( 0.5 * var(--scrollbar-offset)));}body{background:#f7fafc;}body, input, select, optgroup, textarea{font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;font-family:var(--global-body-font-family);color:var(--global-palette4);}.content-bg, body.content-style-unboxed .site{background:var(--global-palette9);}h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6{font-family:var(--global-heading-font-family);}h1{font-style:normal;font-weight:800;font-size:28px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--global-palette3);}h2{font-style:normal;font-weight:800;font-size:28px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--global-palette3);}h3{font-style:normal;font-weight:800;font-size:26px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--global-palette3);}h4{font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-size:24px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--global-palette4);}h5{font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-size:22px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--global-palette4);}h6{font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-size:20px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--global-palette5);}.entry-hero h1{font-style:normal;font-weight:800;color:#ffffff;}.entry-hero .kadence-breadcrumbs, .entry-hero .search-form{font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;color:var(--global-palette3);}.entry-hero .kadence-breadcrumbs{max-width:1200px;}.site-container, .site-header-row-layout-contained, .site-footer-row-layout-contained, .entry-hero-layout-contained, .comments-area, .alignfull > .wp-block-cover__inner-container, .alignwide > .wp-block-cover__inner-container{max-width:var(--global-content-width);}.content-width-narrow .content-container.site-container, .content-width-narrow .hero-container.site-container{max-width:var(--global-content-narrow-width);}@media all and (min-width: 1430px){.wp-site-blocks .content-container .alignwide{margin-left:-115px;margin-right:-115px;width:unset;max-width:unset;}}@media all and (min-width: 1110px){.content-width-narrow .wp-site-blocks .content-container .alignwide{margin-left:-130px;margin-right:-130px;width:unset;max-width:unset;}}.content-style-boxed .wp-site-blocks .entry-content .alignwide{margin-left:calc( -1 * var( --global-content-boxed-padding ) );margin-right:calc( -1 * var( --global-content-boxed-padding ) );}.content-area{margin-top:2rem;margin-bottom:2rem;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.content-area{margin-top:3rem;margin-bottom:3rem;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.content-area{margin-top:2rem;margin-bottom:2rem;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){:root{--global-content-boxed-padding:2.5rem;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){:root{--global-content-boxed-padding:1.5rem;}}.entry-content-wrap{padding:2rem;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.entry-content-wrap{padding:2.5rem;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.entry-content-wrap{padding:1.5rem;}}.entry.single-entry{box-shadow:0px 15px 15px -10px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;}.entry.loop-entry{box-shadow:0px 15px 15px -10px rgba(0,0,0,0);}.loop-entry .entry-content-wrap{padding:2rem;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.loop-entry .entry-content-wrap{padding:2rem;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.loop-entry .entry-content-wrap{padding:1.5rem;}}.has-sidebar:not(.has-left-sidebar) .content-container{grid-template-columns:1fr 300px;}.has-sidebar.has-left-sidebar .content-container{grid-template-columns:300px 1fr;}.primary-sidebar.widget-area .widget{margin-bottom:1.5em;color:var(--global-palette4);}.primary-sidebar.widget-area .widget-title{font-weight:700;font-size:20px;line-height:1.5;color:var(--global-palette3);}button, .button, .wp-block-button__link, input[type="button"], input[type="reset"], input[type="submit"], .fl-button, .elementor-button-wrapper .elementor-button, .wc-block-components-checkout-place-order-button, .wc-block-cart__submit{border-radius:25px;box-shadow:inset 0px 0px 0px -7px rgba(0,0,0,0);}button:hover, button:focus, button:active, .button:hover, .button:focus, .button:active, .wp-block-button__link:hover, .wp-block-button__link:focus, .wp-block-button__link:active, input[type="button"]:hover, input[type="button"]:focus, input[type="button"]:active, input[type="reset"]:hover, input[type="reset"]:focus, input[type="reset"]:active, input[type="submit"]:hover, input[type="submit"]:focus, input[type="submit"]:active, .elementor-button-wrapper .elementor-button:hover, .elementor-button-wrapper .elementor-button:focus, .elementor-button-wrapper .elementor-button:active, .wc-block-cart__submit:hover{box-shadow:0px 15px 25px -7px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.kb-button.kb-btn-global-outline.kb-btn-global-inherit{padding-top:calc(px - 2px);padding-right:calc(px - 2px);padding-bottom:calc(px - 2px);padding-left:calc(px - 2px);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){button, .button, .wp-block-button__link, input[type="button"], input[type="reset"], input[type="submit"], .fl-button, .elementor-button-wrapper .elementor-button, .wc-block-components-checkout-place-order-button, .wc-block-cart__submit{border-radius:25px;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){button, .button, .wp-block-button__link, input[type="button"], input[type="reset"], input[type="submit"], .fl-button, .elementor-button-wrapper .elementor-button, .wc-block-components-checkout-place-order-button, .wc-block-cart__submit{border-radius:25px;}}@media all and (min-width: 1025px){.transparent-header .entry-hero .entry-hero-container-inner{padding-top:70px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.mobile-transparent-header .entry-hero .entry-hero-container-inner{padding-top:70px;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.mobile-transparent-header .entry-hero .entry-hero-container-inner{padding-top:70px;}}.entry-author-style-center{padding-top:var(--global-md-spacing);border-top:1px solid var(--global-gray-500);}.entry-author-style-center .entry-author-avatar, .entry-meta .author-avatar{display:none;}.entry-author-style-normal .entry-author-profile{padding-left:0px;}#comments .comment-meta{margin-left:0px;}body.single .entry-related{background:#f7f7f7;}.wp-site-blocks .entry-related h2.entry-related-title{font-style:normal;color:var(--global-palette3);}.wp-site-blocks .post-title h1{font-style:normal;font-size:36px;color:var(--global-palette3);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-site-blocks .post-title h1{font-size:38px;line-height:1.4;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-site-blocks .post-title h1{font-size:34px;}}.post-title .entry-taxonomies, .post-title .entry-taxonomies a{color:var(--global-palette1);}.post-title .entry-taxonomies a:hover{color:var(--global-palette2);}.post-title .entry-taxonomies .category-style-pill a{background:var(--global-palette1);}.post-title .entry-taxonomies .category-style-pill a:hover{background:var(--global-palette2);}.post-title .entry-meta{color:var(--global-palette3);}.post-title .entry-meta a:hover{color:var(--global-palette3);}.post-title .kadence-breadcrumbs{font-style:normal;font-size:14px;color:var(--global-palette3);}.post-title .kadence-breadcrumbs a:hover{color:var(--global-palette4);}.entry-hero.post-hero-section .entry-header{min-height:200px;}.post-hero-section .hero-section-overlay{background:var(--global-palette9);}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.entry-hero.post-hero-section .entry-header{min-height:300px;}}.loop-entry.type-post h2.entry-title{font-style:normal;font-size:22px;color:var(--global-palette4);} @media all and (max-width: 1024px){.mobile-transparent-header #masthead{position:absolute;left:0px;right:0px;z-index:100;}.kadence-scrollbar-fixer.mobile-transparent-header #masthead{right:var(--scrollbar-offset,0);}.mobile-transparent-header #masthead, .mobile-transparent-header .site-top-header-wrap .site-header-row-container-inner, .mobile-transparent-header .site-main-header-wrap .site-header-row-container-inner, .mobile-transparent-header .site-bottom-header-wrap .site-header-row-container-inner{background:transparent;}.site-header-row-tablet-layout-fullwidth, .site-header-row-tablet-layout-standard{padding:0px;}}@media all and (min-width: 1025px){.transparent-header #masthead{position:absolute;left:0px;right:0px;z-index:100;}.transparent-header.kadence-scrollbar-fixer #masthead{right:var(--scrollbar-offset,0);}.transparent-header #masthead, .transparent-header .site-top-header-wrap .site-header-row-container-inner, .transparent-header .site-main-header-wrap .site-header-row-container-inner, .transparent-header .site-bottom-header-wrap .site-header-row-container-inner{background:transparent;}}.site-branding a.brand img{max-width:220px;}.site-branding a.brand img.svg-logo-image{width:220px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.site-branding a.brand img{max-width:220px;}.site-branding a.brand img.svg-logo-image{width:220px;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.site-branding a.brand img{max-width:215px;}.site-branding a.brand img.svg-logo-image{width:215px;}}.site-branding{padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.site-branding .site-title{font-size:24px;letter-spacing:-0.05em;}}#masthead, #masthead .kadence-sticky-header.item-is-fixed:not(.item-at-start):not(.site-header-row-container):not(.site-main-header-wrap), #masthead .kadence-sticky-header.item-is-fixed:not(.item-at-start) > .site-header-row-container-inner{background:#ffffff;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#masthead, #masthead .kadence-sticky-header.item-is-fixed:not(.item-at-start):not(.site-header-row-container):not(.site-main-header-wrap), #masthead .kadence-sticky-header.item-is-fixed:not(.item-at-start) > .site-header-row-container-inner{background:#ffffff;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#masthead, #masthead .kadence-sticky-header.item-is-fixed:not(.item-at-start):not(.site-header-row-container):not(.site-main-header-wrap), #masthead .kadence-sticky-header.item-is-fixed:not(.item-at-start) > .site-header-row-container-inner{background:#ffffff;}}.site-main-header-wrap .site-header-row-container-inner{background:var(--global-palette9);border-top:0px none transparent;border-bottom:1px solid #b9b9b9;}.site-main-header-inner-wrap{min-height:70px;}.header-navigation[class*="header-navigation-style-underline"] .header-menu-container.primary-menu-container>ul>li>a:after{width:calc( 100% - 1.5em);}.main-navigation .primary-menu-container > ul > li.menu-item > a{padding-left:calc(1.5em / 2);padding-right:calc(1.5em / 2);padding-top:0.6em;padding-bottom:0.6em;color:var(--global-palette3);}.main-navigation .primary-menu-container > ul > li.menu-item .dropdown-nav-special-toggle{right:calc(1.5em / 2);}.main-navigation .primary-menu-container > ul li.menu-item > a{font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:18px;}.main-navigation .primary-menu-container > ul > li.menu-item > a:hover{color:var(--global-palette4);}.main-navigation .primary-menu-container > ul > li.menu-item.current-menu-item > a{color:var(--global-palette4);}.header-navigation .header-menu-container ul ul.sub-menu, .header-navigation .header-menu-container ul ul.submenu{background:#ffffff;box-shadow:0px 2px 13px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.header-navigation .header-menu-container ul ul li.menu-item, .header-menu-container ul.menu > li.kadence-menu-mega-enabled > ul > li.menu-item > a{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);}.header-navigation .header-menu-container ul ul li.menu-item > a{width:200px;padding-top:1em;padding-bottom:1em;color:var(--global-palette3);font-style:normal;font-size:16px;}.header-navigation .header-menu-container ul ul li.menu-item > a:hover{color:#ffffff;background:var(--global-palette1);}.header-navigation .header-menu-container ul ul li.menu-item.current-menu-item > a{color:var(--global-palette9);background:var(--global-palette1);}.mobile-toggle-open-container .menu-toggle-open, .mobile-toggle-open-container .menu-toggle-open:focus{color:var(--global-palette3);padding:0.5em 0.6em 0.5em 0.6em;font-size:14px;}.mobile-toggle-open-container .menu-toggle-open.menu-toggle-style-bordered{border:1px solid currentColor;}.mobile-toggle-open-container .menu-toggle-open .menu-toggle-icon{font-size:18px;}.mobile-toggle-open-container .menu-toggle-open:hover, .mobile-toggle-open-container .menu-toggle-open:focus-visible{color:var(--global-palette3);}.mobile-navigation ul li{font-size:14px;}.mobile-navigation ul li a{padding-top:0.5em;padding-bottom:0.5em;}.mobile-navigation ul li > a, .mobile-navigation ul li.menu-item-has-children > .drawer-nav-drop-wrap{color:var(--global-palette8);}.mobile-navigation ul li > a:hover, .mobile-navigation ul li.menu-item-has-children > .drawer-nav-drop-wrap:hover{color:var(--global-palette9);}.mobile-navigation ul li.current-menu-item > a, .mobile-navigation ul li.current-menu-item.menu-item-has-children > .drawer-nav-drop-wrap{color:#e8e8e8;}.mobile-navigation ul li.menu-item-has-children .drawer-nav-drop-wrap, .mobile-navigation ul li:not(.menu-item-has-children) a{border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);}.mobile-navigation:not(.drawer-navigation-parent-toggle-true) ul li.menu-item-has-children .drawer-nav-drop-wrap button{border-left:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1);}#mobile-drawer .drawer-inner, #mobile-drawer.popup-drawer-layout-fullwidth.popup-drawer-animation-slice .pop-portion-bg, #mobile-drawer.popup-drawer-layout-fullwidth.popup-drawer-animation-slice.pop-animated.show-drawer .drawer-inner{background:var(--global-palette3);}#mobile-drawer .drawer-header .drawer-toggle{padding:0.6em 0.15em 0.6em 0.15em;font-size:24px;}#mobile-drawer .drawer-header .drawer-toggle, #mobile-drawer .drawer-header .drawer-toggle:focus{color:var(--global-palette9);}#mobile-drawer .drawer-header .drawer-toggle:hover, #mobile-drawer .drawer-header .drawer-toggle:focus:hover{color:var(--global-palette9);}.search-toggle-open-container .search-toggle-open{color:var(--global-palette3);}.search-toggle-open-container .search-toggle-open.search-toggle-style-bordered{border:1px solid currentColor;}.search-toggle-open-container .search-toggle-open .search-toggle-icon{font-size:1em;}.search-toggle-open-container .search-toggle-open:hover, .search-toggle-open-container .search-toggle-open:focus{color:var(--global-palette3);}#search-drawer .drawer-inner .drawer-content form input.search-field, #search-drawer .drawer-inner .drawer-content form .kadence-search-icon-wrap, #search-drawer .drawer-header{color:var(--global-palette9);}#search-drawer .drawer-inner{background:rgba(9, 12, 16, 0.97);} #colophon{background:var(--global-palette3);}.site-middle-footer-wrap .site-footer-row-container-inner{background:rgba(255,255,255,0);}.site-middle-footer-inner-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;grid-column-gap:30px;grid-row-gap:30px;}.site-middle-footer-inner-wrap .widget{margin-bottom:30px;}.site-middle-footer-inner-wrap .site-footer-section:not(:last-child):after{right:calc(-30px / 2);}.site-top-footer-wrap .site-footer-row-container-inner{font-style:normal;color:var(--global-palette8);}.site-footer .site-top-footer-wrap a:not(.button):not(.wp-block-button__link):not(.wp-element-button){color:var(--global-palette8);}.site-footer .site-top-footer-wrap a:not(.button):not(.wp-block-button__link):not(.wp-element-button):hover{color:var(--global-palette8);}.site-top-footer-inner-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-bottom:30px;grid-column-gap:30px;grid-row-gap:30px;}.site-top-footer-inner-wrap .widget{margin-bottom:30px;}.site-top-footer-inner-wrap .widget-area .widget-title{font-style:normal;color:var(--global-palette8);}.site-top-footer-inner-wrap .site-footer-section:not(:last-child):after{right:calc(-30px / 2);}.site-bottom-footer-wrap .site-footer-row-container-inner{background:var(--global-palette3);font-style:normal;font-size:14px;color:var(--global-palette7);}.site-footer .site-bottom-footer-wrap a:where(:not(.button):not(.wp-block-button__link):not(.wp-element-button)){color:var(--global-palette7);}.site-footer .site-bottom-footer-wrap a:where(:not(.button):not(.wp-block-button__link):not(.wp-element-button)):hover{color:var(--global-palette9);}.site-bottom-footer-inner-wrap{padding-top:15px;padding-bottom:15px;grid-column-gap:30px;}.site-bottom-footer-inner-wrap .widget{margin-bottom:30px;}.site-bottom-footer-inner-wrap .site-footer-section:not(:last-child):after{right:calc(-30px / 2);}#colophon .footer-html{font-style:normal;font-weight:600;color:var(--global-palette8);margin:0.6em 0em 0.6em 0em;}#colophon .site-footer-row-container .site-footer-row .footer-html a{color:var(--global-palette8);}#colophon .site-footer-row-container .site-footer-row .footer-html a:hover{color:var(--global-palette8);}#colophon .footer-navigation .footer-menu-container > ul > li > a{padding-left:calc(1.2em / 2);padding-right:calc(1.2em / 2);padding-top:calc(1em / 2);padding-bottom:calc(1em / 2);color:var(--global-palette9);}#colophon .footer-navigation .footer-menu-container > ul li a:hover{color:var(--global-palette-highlight);}#colophon .footer-navigation .footer-menu-container > ul li.current-menu-item > a{color:var(--global-palette9);}</style> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="//earthhow.com/wp-content/cache/wpfc-minified/lm7cgwdj/a3vqr.css" media="all"/> <style id='kadence-blocks-global-variables-inline-css'>:root{--global-kb-font-size-sm:clamp(0.8rem, 0.73rem + 0.217vw, 0.9rem);--global-kb-font-size-md:clamp(1.1rem, 0.995rem + 0.326vw, 1.25rem);--global-kb-font-size-lg:clamp(1.75rem, 1.576rem + 0.543vw, 2rem);--global-kb-font-size-xl:clamp(2.25rem, 1.728rem + 1.63vw, 3rem);--global-kb-font-size-xxl:clamp(2.5rem, 1.456rem + 3.26vw, 4rem);--global-kb-font-size-xxxl:clamp(2.75rem, 0.489rem + 7.065vw, 6rem);}</style> <style id='kadence_blocks_css-inline-css'>.kb-row-layout-id18087_9ac6f0-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:25px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id18087_9ac6f0-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56{text-align:center;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}.kb-posts-id-18087_4ff245-dc .entry.loop-entry .entry-header .entry-title{font-size:18px;line-height:20px;}.kb-posts-id-18087_4ff245-dc .loop-entry{background:transparent;box-shadow:none;}.kb-posts-id-18087_4ff245-dc .loop-entry > .entry-content-wrap{padding:0px;}.kb-posts-id-18087_4ff245-dc .loop-entry .post-thumbnail{margin-bottom:1em;}.kb-row-layout-id18087_d39f1d-9e > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:25px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id18087_d39f1d-9e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a{text-align:center;}.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column18087_18901d-6a:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column18087_18901d-6a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}</style> <style id='kadence_blocks_pro_css-inline-css'>.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kadence-post-image{padding-top:0px;padding-right:20px;padding-bottom:5px;padding-left:0px;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-feat-image-align-left{grid-template-columns:40% auto;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-post-grid-wrap{gap:10px 30px;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-grid-item{border-top-color:currentColor;border-top-style:solid;border-right-color:currentColor;border-right-style:solid;border-bottom-color:currentColor;border-bottom-style:solid;border-left-color:currentColor;border-left-style:solid;overflow:hidden;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-grid-item .kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner{text-align:left;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-grid-item header{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:0px;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-grid-item .kt-blocks-above-categories{font-size:13px;line-height:20px;text-transform:uppercase;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-grid-item .entry-title{padding-top:5px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;font-size:18px;line-height:20px;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .entry-content{font-size:14px;line-height:24px;}.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-footer{font-size:12px;line-height:20px;text-transform:uppercase;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-grid-item{border-top-color:currentColor;border-top-style:solid;border-right-color:currentColor;border-right-style:solid;border-bottom-color:currentColor;border-bottom-style:solid;border-left-color:currentColor;border-left-style:solid;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 .kt-blocks-post-grid-item{border-top-color:currentColor;border-top-style:solid;border-right-color:currentColor;border-right-style:solid;border-bottom-color:currentColor;border-bottom-style:solid;border-left-color:currentColor;border-left-style:solid;}}</style> <style id="kadence_blocks_palette_css">:root .has-kb-palette-1-color{color:#888888}:root .has-kb-palette-1-background-color{background-color:#888888}</style><script async="async" data-noptimize="1" data-cfasync="false" src="https://scripts.mediavine.com/tags/earth-how.js?ver=6.7.2" id="mv-script-wrapper-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://earthhow.com/wp-json/"/><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://earthhow.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/974"/><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://earthhow.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd"/> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.7.2"/> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://earthhow.com/?p=974'/> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://earthhow.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fearthhow.com%2Fspace-junk%2F"/> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://earthhow.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fearthhow.com%2Fspace-junk%2F&format=xml"/> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-7J2VZZEQZM"></script> <script>window.dataLayer=window.dataLayer||[]; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-7J2VZZEQZM');</script> <link rel="icon" href="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-EarthHow-SiteIcon-1-32x32.jpg" sizes="32x32"/> <link rel="icon" href="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-EarthHow-SiteIcon-1-192x192.jpg" sizes="192x192"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-EarthHow-SiteIcon-1-180x180.jpg"/> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-EarthHow-SiteIcon-1-270x270.jpg"/> <style id="wp-custom-css">*{font-family:Inter, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif} .tnp-subscription-minimal input.tnp-submit{background-color:#00a87a;} .newsletter1{background-color:#2a7fb8;padding:20px;border-radius:5px;margin-top:40px;margin-bottom:40px;text-align:center;border:1px solid #dddddd;} @media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.entry-content .alignright { float:none; display:block; padding:0px; margin:0px;}} @media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.entry-content .alignleft {float:none; display:block; }} .wp-block-kadence-posts{row-gap:5px;} @media only screen and (max-width: 359px) { .content-container.site-container { padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; }}</style> </head> <body data-rsssl=1 class="post-template-default single single-post postid-974 single-format-standard wp-custom-logo wp-embed-responsive footer-on-bottom hide-focus-outline link-style-standard has-sidebar content-title-style-normal content-width-normal content-style-boxed content-vertical-padding-show non-transparent-header mobile-non-transparent-header"> <div id="wrapper" class="site wp-site-blocks"> <a class="skip-link screen-reader-text scroll-ignore" href="#main">Skip to content</a> <header id="masthead" class="site-header" role="banner" itemtype="https://schema.org/WPHeader" itemscope> <div id="main-header" class="site-header-wrap"> <div class="site-header-inner-wrap"> <div class="site-header-upper-wrap"> <div class="site-header-upper-inner-wrap"> <div class="site-main-header-wrap site-header-row-container site-header-focus-item site-header-row-layout-standard" data-section="kadence_customizer_header_main"> <div class="site-header-row-container-inner"> <div class="site-container"> <div class="site-main-header-inner-wrap site-header-row site-header-row-has-sides site-header-row-no-center"> <div class="site-header-main-section-left site-header-section site-header-section-left"> <div class="site-header-item site-header-focus-item" data-section="title_tagline"> <div class="site-branding branding-layout-standard site-brand-logo-only"><a class="brand has-logo-image" href="https://earthhow.com/" rel="home"><img width="539" height="65" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo.png" class="custom-logo" alt="EarthHow Logo" decoding="async" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo.png 539w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo-300x36.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo-425x51.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo-140x17.png 140w" sizes="(max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="site-header-main-section-right site-header-section site-header-section-right"> <div class="site-header-item site-header-focus-item site-header-item-main-navigation header-navigation-layout-stretch-false header-navigation-layout-fill-stretch-false" data-section="kadence_customizer_primary_navigation"> <nav id="site-navigation" class="main-navigation header-navigation hover-to-open nav--toggle-sub header-navigation-style-standard header-navigation-dropdown-animation-none" role="navigation" aria-label="Primary Navigation"> <div class="primary-menu-container header-menu-container"> <ul id="primary-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-17132" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17132"><a href="https://earthhow.com/atmosphere/">Atmosphere</a></li> <li id="menu-item-17131" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17131"><a href="https://earthhow.com/biology/">Biology</a></li> <li id="menu-item-17130" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17130"><a href="https://earthhow.com/career/">Career</a></li> <li id="menu-item-17129" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17129"><a href="https://earthhow.com/geology/">Geology</a></li> <li id="menu-item-17128" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17128"><a href="https://earthhow.com/space/">Space</a></li> <li id="menu-item-17127" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17127"><a href="https://earthhow.com/water/">Water</a></li> </ul></div></nav></div><div class="site-header-item site-header-focus-item" data-section="kadence_customizer_header_search"> <div class="search-toggle-open-container"> <button class="search-toggle-open drawer-toggle search-toggle-style-default" aria-label="View Search Form" data-toggle-target="#search-drawer" data-toggle-body-class="showing-popup-drawer-from-full" aria-expanded="false" data-set-focus="#search-drawer .search-field" > <span class="search-toggle-icon"><span class="kadence-svg-iconset"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="kadence-svg-icon kadence-search-svg" fill="currentColor" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="26" height="28" viewBox="0 0 26 28"><title>Search</title><path d="M18 13c0-3.859-3.141-7-7-7s-7 3.141-7 7 3.141 7 7 7 7-3.141 7-7zM26 26c0 1.094-0.906 2-2 2-0.531 0-1.047-0.219-1.406-0.594l-5.359-5.344c-1.828 1.266-4.016 1.937-6.234 1.937-6.078 0-11-4.922-11-11s4.922-11 11-11 11 4.922 11 11c0 2.219-0.672 4.406-1.937 6.234l5.359 5.359c0.359 0.359 0.578 0.875 0.578 1.406z"></path> </svg></span></span> </button></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div id="mobile-header" class="site-mobile-header-wrap"> <div class="site-header-inner-wrap"> <div class="site-header-upper-wrap"> <div class="site-header-upper-inner-wrap"> <div class="site-main-header-wrap site-header-focus-item site-header-row-layout-standard site-header-row-tablet-layout-default site-header-row-mobile-layout-default"> <div class="site-header-row-container-inner"> <div class="site-container"> <div class="site-main-header-inner-wrap site-header-row site-header-row-has-sides site-header-row-center-column"> <div class="site-header-main-section-left site-header-section site-header-section-left"> <div class="site-header-item site-header-focus-item site-header-item-navgation-popup-toggle" data-section="kadence_customizer_mobile_trigger"> <div class="mobile-toggle-open-container"> <button id="mobile-toggle" class="menu-toggle-open drawer-toggle menu-toggle-style-default" aria-label="Open menu" data-toggle-target="#mobile-drawer" data-toggle-body-class="showing-popup-drawer-from-left" aria-expanded="false" data-set-focus=".menu-toggle-close" > <span class="menu-toggle-icon"><span class="kadence-svg-iconset"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="kadence-svg-icon kadence-menu-svg" fill="currentColor" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><title>Toggle Menu</title><path d="M3 13h18c0.552 0 1-0.448 1-1s-0.448-1-1-1h-18c-0.552 0-1 0.448-1 1s0.448 1 1 1zM3 7h18c0.552 0 1-0.448 1-1s-0.448-1-1-1h-18c-0.552 0-1 0.448-1 1s0.448 1 1 1zM3 19h18c0.552 0 1-0.448 1-1s-0.448-1-1-1h-18c-0.552 0-1 0.448-1 1s0.448 1 1 1z"></path> </svg></span></span> </button></div></div></div><div class="site-header-main-section-center site-header-section site-header-section-center"> <div class="site-header-item site-header-focus-item" data-section="title_tagline"> <div class="site-branding mobile-site-branding branding-layout-standard branding-tablet-layout-standard site-brand-logo-only branding-mobile-layout-standard site-brand-logo-only"><a class="brand has-logo-image" href="https://earthhow.com/" rel="home"><img width="539" height="65" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo.png" class="custom-logo" alt="EarthHow Logo" decoding="async" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo.png 539w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo-300x36.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo-425x51.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Logo-140x17.png 140w" sizes="(max-width: 539px) 100vw, 539px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="site-header-main-section-right site-header-section site-header-section-right"> <div class="site-header-item site-header-focus-item" data-section="kadence_customizer_header_search"> <div class="search-toggle-open-container"> <button class="search-toggle-open drawer-toggle search-toggle-style-default" aria-label="View Search Form" data-toggle-target="#search-drawer" data-toggle-body-class="showing-popup-drawer-from-full" aria-expanded="false" data-set-focus="#search-drawer .search-field" > <span class="search-toggle-icon"><span class="kadence-svg-iconset"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="kadence-svg-icon kadence-search-svg" fill="currentColor" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="26" height="28" viewBox="0 0 26 28"><title>Search</title><path d="M18 13c0-3.859-3.141-7-7-7s-7 3.141-7 7 3.141 7 7 7 7-3.141 7-7zM26 26c0 1.094-0.906 2-2 2-0.531 0-1.047-0.219-1.406-0.594l-5.359-5.344c-1.828 1.266-4.016 1.937-6.234 1.937-6.078 0-11-4.922-11-11s4.922-11 11-11 11 4.922 11 11c0 2.219-0.672 4.406-1.937 6.234l5.359 5.359c0.359 0.359 0.578 0.875 0.578 1.406z"></path> </svg></span></span> </button></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></header> <div id="inner-wrap" class="wrap kt-clear"> <div id="primary" class="content-area"> <div class="content-container site-container"> <main id="main" class="site-main" role="main"> <div class="content-wrap"> <article id="post-974" class="entry content-bg single-entry post-974 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-outside-earth mv-content-wrapper"> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header post-title title-align-center title-tablet-align-center title-mobile-align-inherit"> <div class="kadence-breadcrumbs yoast-bc-wrap"><span><span><a href="https://earthhow.com/">Home</a></span> » <span><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/atmosphere/">Atmosphere</a></span> » <span class="breadcrumb_last" aria-current="page">How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic]</span></span></div><h1 class="entry-title">How Much Space Junk Orbits Earth? [Infographic]</h1><div class="entry-meta entry-meta-divider-customicon"> <div class="meta-comments"><span class="kadence-svg-iconset"><svg class="kadence-svg-icon kadence-comments-alt-svg" fill="currentColor" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28"><title>Comments</title><path d="M10 14c0 1.109-0.891 2-2 2s-2-0.891-2-2 0.891-2 2-2 2 0.891 2 2zM16 14c0 1.109-0.891 2-2 2s-2-0.891-2-2 0.891-2 2-2 2 0.891 2 2zM22 14c0 1.109-0.891 2-2 2s-2-0.891-2-2 0.891-2 2-2 2 0.891 2 2zM14 6c-6.5 0-12 3.656-12 8 0 2.328 1.563 4.547 4.266 6.078l1.359 0.781-0.422 1.5c-0.297 1.109-0.688 1.969-1.094 2.688 1.578-0.656 3.016-1.547 4.297-2.672l0.672-0.594 0.891 0.094c0.672 0.078 1.359 0.125 2.031 0.125 6.5 0 12-3.656 12-8s-5.5-8-12-8zM28 14c0 5.531-6.266 10-14 10-0.766 0-1.531-0.047-2.266-0.125-2.047 1.813-4.484 3.094-7.187 3.781-0.562 0.156-1.172 0.266-1.781 0.344h-0.078c-0.313 0-0.594-0.25-0.672-0.594v-0.016c-0.078-0.391 0.187-0.625 0.422-0.906 0.984-1.109 2.109-2.047 2.844-4.656-3.219-1.828-5.281-4.656-5.281-7.828 0-5.516 6.266-10 14-10v0c7.734 0 14 4.484 14 10z"></path> </svg></span><a class="meta-comments-link anchor-scroll" href="#comments">4 Comments</a></div></div></header> <div class="entry-content single-content"> <figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="678" height="378" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-0-678x378.png" alt="Space Junk" class="wp-image-976"/></figure> <div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How much space junk orbits the Earth?</h3> <p>Did you know there are over 5500 tons of space junk above Earth’s surface? The majority of space junk is within the 700 to 36,000-kilometer range.</p> <p>If you’ve seen the Academy Award-winning film “Gravity”, you’d probably think space is a pretty scary place.</p> <p>A collision from a Russian rocket launch sparks a chain reaction causing debris to circle every 90 minutes.</p> <p>Even the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Space Station</a> and <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Telescope</a> were part of the wreckage. It’s not entirely implausible. But it’s unlikely because everything is on different orbits.</p> <p>The space junk problem is a man-made one. Here’s why there’s been a rise in space debris.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What started the rise of space junk?</h3> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img decoding="async" width="290" height="300" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-Orbit-290x300.png" alt="Space Junk Orbit" class="wp-image-3730" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-Orbit-290x300.png 290w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Space-Junk-Orbit.png 407w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px"/></figure></div><p>Space junk consists of parts that were once used by satellites or rockets that are still floating in orbit that we can’t bring back down to Earth.</p> <p>There are an estimated 21,000 objects >10 cm and 500,000 objects <10 cm of space debris. Two incidents increased space debris by over 60%:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>CHINA ANTI-SATELLITE MISSION:</strong> In 2007, China launched a ballistic missile that collided with a weather and reconnaissance satellite.</li> <li><strong>IRIDIUM-33 AND COSMOS-2251:</strong> An accidental collision between Iridium33 and Cosmos 2251 flung around debris in low Earth orbit.</li> </ul> <p>Space junk is another problem that has arisen over the years and has gotten worse. But first, let’s define what it actually means.</p></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Who watches satellites and space junk?</h3> <div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"> <figure class="alignright"><img decoding="async" width="290" height="300" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Satellite-290x300.png" alt="Satellite" class="wp-image-3732" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Satellite-290x300.png 290w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Satellite.png 407w" sizes="(max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px"/></figure></div><p>There are approximately 1000 operational satellites in orbit and this number has been steadily increasing over the years.  One reason they don’t collide with each other is that they are continually being monitored by the <a href="http://www.norad.mil" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)</a>.</p> <p>They keep a database of all known rocket launches and each orbit. If there was a critical type of scenario, satellites would have mini jet thrusters to move them around in orbit.</p> <p>In the case of an onset collision, these thrusters can be used for safety. But these thrusters are also used for repositioning themselves in orbit to improve their own functionality.</p> <p>So what are the triggers that could cause space debris? Here are three:</p> <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>Satellites colliding with other geostationary or non-geostationary satellites,</li> <li>Space debris or dead satellites stunning another satellite, or</li> <li>Asteroids or micro-meteorites hitting satellites are hard to predict. That’s why <a href="http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA’s Near Earth Object Program</a> keeps a close eye on asteroids.</li> </ol></div></div><div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do we map out space junk?</h3> <p>Silently, satellites gather volumes of data about our planet in various spectra. With a grand total of 13,955 satellites loaded on this <a href="http://richiecarmichael.github.io/sat/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">satellite web map</a>, you begin to see how vast our satellite ecosystem is.</p> <p>Each satellite orbits around the Earth in a predictable trajectory. Filter between junk and non-junk and country of origin. </p> <p>Space junk is a major problem for space agencies. These are pieces of broken or no-longer-needed items that orbit the Earth at high speeds.</p> <p>The more space junk there is, the more likely it becomes that these unplanned collisions could happen and create even more space debris in what we call “a cascading effect”.</p> <p>Don’t forget that <a href="https://earthhow.com/near-earth-objects-neo/">Near Earth Objects (NEO)</a> also puts our satellites at risk. If you want to learn more about space junk, please add any comments below.</p></div></div><div class="newsletter1"><span style="color:#FFFFFF">Subscribe to our newsletter:</span> <div class="tnp tnp-subscription-minimal"><form action="https://earthhow.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=tnp&na=s" method="post" style="text-align: center"><input type="hidden" name="nr" value="minimal"> <input type="hidden" name="nlang" value=""> <input class="tnp-email" type="email" required name="ne" value="" placeholder="Email"><input class="tnp-submit" type="submit" value="Subscribe" style=""> </form></div></div><div class="kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id18087_9ac6f0-08 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout"><div class="kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top"> <div class="wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18087_8adc6b-56 kvs-sm-false kb-section-dir-horizontal"><div class="kt-inside-inner-col"><div class="wp-block-kadence-posts kb-posts kb-posts-id-18087_4ff245-dc content-wrap grid-cols kb-posts-style-unboxed grid-sm-col-2 grid-lg-col-3 item-image-style-above"><article class="entry content-bg loop-entry post-12457 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-weather mv-content-wrapper"> <a class="post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3" href="https://earthhow.com/what-are-tornadoes/"> <div class="post-thumbnail-inner"> <img width="425" height="319" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Tornadoes-0-425x319.png" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Tornadoes" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Tornadoes-0-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Tornadoes-0-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Tornadoes-0-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Tornadoes-0-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Tornadoes-0.png 678w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></div></a> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header"> <h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/what-are-tornadoes/" rel="bookmark">What Are Tornadoes?</a></h6></header> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer></div></article> <article class="entry content-bg loop-entry post-2508 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-weather tag-feature mv-content-wrapper"> <a class="post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3" href="https://earthhow.com/weather-facts/"> <div class="post-thumbnail-inner"> <img width="425" height="319" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-425x319.png" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Weather Patterns" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Weather-Patterns-Feature-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></div></a> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header"> <h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/weather-facts/" rel="bookmark">10 Unbelievable Weather and Climate Facts</a></h6></header> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer></div></article> <article class="entry content-bg loop-entry post-2674 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-climate-change mv-content-wrapper"> <a class="post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3" href="https://earthhow.com/climate-change/"> <div class="post-thumbnail-inner"> <img width="425" height="319" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-425x319.png" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Climate Change" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Climate-Change-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></div></a> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header"> <h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/climate-change/" rel="bookmark">The Impacts and Effects of Climate Change</a></h6></header> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer></div></article> <article class="entry content-bg loop-entry post-9596 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-outside-earth mv-content-wrapper"> <a class="post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3" href="https://earthhow.com/thermosphere/"> <div class="post-thumbnail-inner"> <img width="425" height="319" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Thermosphere-Feature-1-425x319.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Thermosphere" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Thermosphere-Feature-1-425x319.jpg 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Thermosphere-Feature-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Thermosphere-Feature-1-675x507.jpg 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Thermosphere-Feature-1-550x413.jpg 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Thermosphere-Feature-1.jpg 678w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></div></a> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header"> <h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/thermosphere/" rel="bookmark">What Is the Thermosphere? [Infographic]</a></h6></header> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer></div></article> <article class="entry content-bg loop-entry post-9587 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-outside-earth mv-content-wrapper"> <a class="post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3" href="https://earthhow.com/stratosphere/"> <div class="post-thumbnail-inner"> <img width="425" height="319" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Stratosphere-Feature-425x319.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Stratosphere" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Stratosphere-Feature-425x319.jpg 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Stratosphere-Feature-300x225.jpg 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Stratosphere-Feature-675x507.jpg 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Stratosphere-Feature-550x413.jpg 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Stratosphere-Feature.jpg 678w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></div></a> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header"> <h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/stratosphere/" rel="bookmark">What Is the Stratosphere?</a></h6></header> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer></div></article> <article class="entry content-bg loop-entry post-2566 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-magnetosphere mv-content-wrapper"> <a class="post-thumbnail kadence-thumbnail-ratio-2-3" href="https://earthhow.com/geomagnetic-reversal/"> <div class="post-thumbnail-inner"> <img width="425" height="319" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-425x319.png" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-post-image" alt="Magnetic Pole Reversals" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Magnetic-Pole-Reversal-1-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px"/></div></a> <div class="entry-content-wrap"> <header class="entry-header"> <h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/geomagnetic-reversal/" rel="bookmark">Earth’s Geomagnetic Reversal: Flipping Polarity</a></h6></header> <footer class="entry-footer"> </footer></div></article></div></div></div></div></div><div class="kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id18087_d39f1d-9e alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout"><div class="kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top"> <div class="wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column18087_18901d-6a kvs-lg-false kvs-md-false kb-section-dir-vertical"><div class="kt-inside-inner-col"><div class="wp-block-kadence-postgrid kt-blocks-post-loop-block alignnone kt-post-loop18087_f8d185-d5 kt-post-grid-layout-grid"><div class="kt-post-grid-layout-grid-wrap kt-post-grid-wrap" data-columns-xxl="2" data-columns-xl="2" data-columns-md="2" data-columns-sm="2" data-columns-xs="1" data-columns-ss="1"data-item-selector=".kt-post-masonry-item" aria-label="Post Carousel"><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-52 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-climate-change tag-feature mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/air-pollution-sources/" aria-label="Read More 5 Major Air Pollution Sources in the Atmosphere" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Air-Pollution-Feature-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Air Pollution" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Air-Pollution-Feature-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Air-Pollution-Feature-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Air-Pollution-Feature-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Air-Pollution-Feature-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Air-Pollution-Feature.png 678w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/air-pollution-sources/">5 Major Air Pollution Sources in the Atmosphere</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-137 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-outside-earth tag-feature mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/earth-atmosphere-composition/" aria-label="Read More Earth’s Atmosphere Composition: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon and CO2" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Earth Atmosphere Composition" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Atmosphere-Composition-0-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/earth-atmosphere-composition/">Earth’s Atmosphere Composition: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon and CO2</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-9600 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-outside-earth mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/exosphere/" aria-label="Read More What Is the Exosphere?" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Exosphere-Feature-1-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Exosphere" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Exosphere-Feature-1-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Exosphere-Feature-1-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Exosphere-Feature-1-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Exosphere-Feature-1-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Exosphere-Feature-1.png 678w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/exosphere/">What Is the Exosphere?</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-2612 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-weather tag-feature mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/lightning-facts/" aria-label="Read More 10 Electrifying Lightning Facts: Get Thunderstruck" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Lightning Facts" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Lightning-Facts-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/lightning-facts/">10 Electrifying Lightning Facts: Get Thunderstruck</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-66 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-outside-earth tag-feature tag-infographic mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/atmosphere-layers-troposphere-stratosphere-mesosphere-thermosphere/" aria-label="Read More What Are the 4 Layers of the Atmosphere? [Infographic]" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Earth Atmosphere Layers" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Earth-Atmosphere-Layers-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/atmosphere-layers-troposphere-stratosphere-mesosphere-thermosphere/">What Are the 4 Layers of the Atmosphere? [Infographic]</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-2580 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-climate-change tag-feature mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/milankovitch-cycle/" aria-label="Read More What Are the 3 Milankovitch Cycles?" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Milankovitch Cycle" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Milankovitch-Cycle-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/milankovitch-cycle/">What Are the 3 Milankovitch Cycles?</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-985 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-climate-change category-outside-earth tag-feature mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/ozone-layer/" aria-label="Read More Ozone Layer: Earth’s Protective Shield Has a Hole In It" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Ozone Layer" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Ozone-Layer-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/ozone-layer/">Ozone Layer: Earth’s Protective Shield Has a Hole In It</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article><article class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item post-955 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-atmosphere category-magnetosphere tag-feature tag-guide mv-content-wrapper"><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner-wrap kt-feat-image-align-left kt-feat-image-mobile-align-side"><div class="kadence-post-image"><div class="kadence-post-image-intrisic kt-image-ratio-66-67" style="padding-bottom:66.67%;"><div class="kadence-post-image-inner-intrisic"><a href="https://earthhow.com/earth-magnetic-field/" aria-label="Read More A Beginner’s Guide to Earth Magnetic Field" class="kadence-post-image-inner-wrap"><img width="300" height="225" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-300x225.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Earth Magnetic Field" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-300x225.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-675x507.png 675w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-425x319.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-550x413.png 550w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1.png 678w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-326x245.png 326w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-80x60.png 80w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Earth-Magnetic-Field-1-267x200.png 267w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></a></div></div></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-grid-item-inner"><header><h6 class="entry-title"><a href="https://earthhow.com/earth-magnetic-field/">A Beginner’s Guide to Earth Magnetic Field</a></h6><div class="kt-blocks-post-top-meta"></div></header><div class="entry-content"></div><footer class="kt-blocks-post-footer"><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-left"></div><div class="kt-blocks-post-footer-right"></div></footer></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article> <div id="comments" class="comments-area"> <h2 class="comments-title">4 Comments</h2> <ol class="comment-list"> <li id="comment-26702" class="comment byuser comment-author-earthhow bypostauthor even thread-even depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-26702" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <b class="fn">earthhow</b> <span class="says">says:</span></div><div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#comment-26702"><time datetime="2024-01-04T18:38:38-06:00">January 4, 2024 at 6:38 pm</time></a></div></footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>The reason why we have so much space junk is because these are satellites that we launched into our orbit. Although there are satellites that orbit other planets (such as the 2001 Mars Odyssey that orbits Mars), our main focus is our planet. Unfortunately, mostly collisions have led to this amount of space junk. There are some missions that aim to clean up junk, I read one happening from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).</p> <p>As for your question about the rings of Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter… Think of these rings as leftovers from the beginning of our solar system. The gas planets have a very strong pull (gravity). It’s like a super-strong magnet that’s pulled in ice, dust, and rocks… forming like a hula hoop. The pieces in these planets rings are like cars on a racetrack. Each follow its own path around the planet and has been doing that for a bit after 4.5 billion years.</p></div></article> </li> <li id="comment-26483" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-26483" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <b class="fn">Blake</b> <span class="says">says:</span></div><div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#comment-26483"><time datetime="2024-01-02T16:17:13-06:00">January 2, 2024 at 4:17 pm</time></a></div></footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>Why does the Earth have space junk and not other planets? Also why is there a ring around Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter?</p></div></article> </li> <li id="comment-16039" class="comment even thread-even depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-16039" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <b class="fn">John Doe</b> <span class="says">says:</span></div><div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#comment-16039"><time datetime="2022-08-24T17:31:49-06:00">August 24, 2022 at 5:31 pm</time></a></div></footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>False generalized statement:<br /> {One reason they (satellites) don’t collide} with each other is that they are continually being monitored by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).</p> <p>What does NORAD have to do with space collisions? Does Russia and China confer with NORAD before they send a rocket to space? No. Do a little research will ya?</p></div></article> </li> <li id="comment-7783" class="comment odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1"> <article id="div-comment-7783" class="comment-body"> <footer class="comment-meta"> <div class="comment-author vcard"> <b class="fn">Ken David</b> <span class="says">says:</span></div><div class="comment-metadata"> <a href="https://earthhow.com/space-junk/#comment-7783"><time datetime="2021-03-02T20:13:24-06:00">March 2, 2021 at 8:13 pm</time></a></div></footer> <div class="comment-content"> <p>Great satellite map. I’m teaching space exploration this year in Air Force JROTC and the map is terrific.</p></div></article> </li> </ol> <div id="respond" class="comment-respond"> <h3 id="reply-title" class="comment-reply-title">Leave a Reply</h3><form action="https://earthhow.com/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform" class="comment-form" novalidate><p class="comment-notes"><span id="email-notes">Your email address will not be published.</span> <span class="required-field-message">Required fields are marked <span class="required">*</span></span></p><p class="comment-form-comment comment-form-float-label"><textarea autocomplete="new-password" id="i477054932" name="i477054932" placeholder="Leave a comment..." cols="45" rows="8" maxlength="65525" aria-required="true" required="required"></textarea><textarea id="comment" aria-label="hp-comment" aria-hidden="true" name="comment" autocomplete="new-password" style="padding:0 !important;clip:rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px) !important;position:absolute !important;white-space:nowrap !important;height:1px !important;width:1px !important;overflow:hidden !important;" tabindex="-1"></textarea><label class="float-label" for="comment">Comment <span class="required">*</span></label></p><div class="comment-input-wrap no-url-field"><p class="comment-form-author"><input aria-label="Name" id="author" name="author" type="text" placeholder="John Doe" value="" size="30" maxlength="245" aria-required='true' required='required' /><label class="float-label" for="author">Name <span class="required">*</span></label></p> <p class="comment-form-email"><input aria-label="Email" id="email" name="email" type="email" placeholder="john@example.com" value="" size="30" maxlength="100" aria-describedby="email-notes" aria-required='true' required='required' /><label class="float-label" for="email">Email <span class="required">*</span></label></p></div><p class="form-submit"><input name="submit" type="submit" id="submit" class="submit" value="Post Comment" /> <input type='hidden' name='comment_post_ID' value='974' id='comment_post_ID' /> <input type='hidden' name='comment_parent' id='comment_parent' value='0' /> </p></form></div></div></div></main> <aside id="secondary" role="complementary" class="primary-sidebar widget-area sidebar-slug-sidebar-primary sidebar-link-style-normal"> <div class="sidebar-inner-wrap"></div></aside></div></div></div><footer id="colophon" class="site-footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="site-footer-wrap"> <div class="site-top-footer-wrap site-footer-row-container site-footer-focus-item site-footer-row-layout-standard site-footer-row-tablet-layout-default site-footer-row-mobile-layout-default" data-section="kadence_customizer_footer_top"> <div class="site-footer-row-container-inner"> <div class="site-container"> <div class="site-top-footer-inner-wrap site-footer-row site-footer-row-columns-3 site-footer-row-column-layout-left-half site-footer-row-tablet-column-layout-left-half site-footer-row-mobile-column-layout-row ft-ro-dir-row ft-ro-collapse-normal ft-ro-t-dir-column ft-ro-m-dir-default ft-ro-lstyle-plain"> <div class="site-footer-top-section-1 site-footer-section footer-section-inner-items-1"> <div class="footer-widget-area widget-area site-footer-focus-item footer-widget3 content-align-default content-tablet-align-default content-mobile-align-default content-valign-default content-tablet-valign-default content-mobile-valign-default" data-section="sidebar-widgets-footer3"> <div class="footer-widget-area-inner site-info-inner"> <section id="text-8" class="widget widget_text"> <div class="textwidget"><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-16201" src="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Black-Logo-300x54.png" alt="EarthHow Logo" width="300" height="54" srcset="https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Black-Logo-300x54.png 300w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Black-Logo-425x77.png 425w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Black-Logo-140x25.png 140w, https://earthhow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/EarthHow-Black-Logo.png 491w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"/></p></div></section></div></div></div><div class="site-footer-top-section-2 site-footer-section footer-section-inner-items-1"> <div class="footer-widget-area widget-area site-footer-focus-item footer-widget1 content-align-left content-tablet-align-default content-mobile-align-default content-valign-default content-tablet-valign-default content-mobile-valign-default" data-section="sidebar-widgets-footer1"> <div class="footer-widget-area-inner site-info-inner"> <section id="custom_html-4" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><h2 class="widget-title">CATEGORIES</h2><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><ul style="margin-left:0px;"> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/atmosphere/">Atmosphere</a></li> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/career/">Career</a></li> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/geology/">Geology</a></li> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/life-science/">Nature</a></li> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/outer-space/">Space</a></li> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/category/water-science/">Water</a></li> </ul></div></section></div></div></div><div class="site-footer-top-section-3 site-footer-section footer-section-inner-items-1"> <div class="footer-widget-area widget-area site-footer-focus-item footer-widget2 content-align-default content-tablet-align-default content-mobile-align-default content-valign-default content-tablet-valign-default content-mobile-valign-default" data-section="sidebar-widgets-footer2"> <div class="footer-widget-area-inner site-info-inner"> <section id="custom_html-5" class="widget_text widget widget_custom_html"><h2 class="widget-title">Features</h2><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><ul style="margin-left:0px;"> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/articles/">Articles</a></li> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/tag/infographic/">Infographics</a></li> <li><a href="https://earthhow.com/newsletter/">Newsletter</a></li> </ul></div></section></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="site-middle-footer-wrap site-footer-row-container site-footer-focus-item site-footer-row-layout-standard site-footer-row-tablet-layout-default site-footer-row-mobile-layout-default" data-section="kadence_customizer_footer_middle"> <div class="site-footer-row-container-inner"> <div class="site-container"> <div class="site-middle-footer-inner-wrap site-footer-row site-footer-row-columns-1 site-footer-row-column-layout-row site-footer-row-tablet-column-layout-default site-footer-row-mobile-column-layout-row ft-ro-dir-row ft-ro-collapse-normal ft-ro-t-dir-default ft-ro-m-dir-default ft-ro-lstyle-plain"> <div class="site-footer-middle-section-1 site-footer-section footer-section-inner-items-1"> <div class="footer-widget-area widget-area site-footer-focus-item footer-navigation-wrap content-align-center content-tablet-align-center content-mobile-align-default content-valign-default content-tablet-valign-default content-mobile-valign-default footer-navigation-layout-stretch-false" data-section="kadence_customizer_footer_navigation"> <div class="footer-widget-area-inner footer-navigation-inner"> <nav id="footer-navigation" class="footer-navigation" role="navigation" aria-label="Footer Navigation"> <div class="footer-menu-container"> <ul id="footer-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-15577" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-15577"><a href="https://earthhow.com/about/">About</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15574" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page current_page_parent menu-item-15574"><a href="https://earthhow.com/articles/">Articles</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15578" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-15578"><a href="https://earthhow.com/contact/">Contact</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15579" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-15579"><a href="https://earthhow.com/how-to-cite/">How To Cite</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15575" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-15575"><a href="https://earthhow.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15576" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-15576"><a href="https://earthhow.com/terms-of-service/">Terms of Service</a></li> </ul></div></nav></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="site-bottom-footer-wrap site-footer-row-container site-footer-focus-item site-footer-row-layout-standard site-footer-row-tablet-layout-default site-footer-row-mobile-layout-default" data-section="kadence_customizer_footer_bottom"> <div class="site-footer-row-container-inner"> <div class="site-container"> <div class="site-bottom-footer-inner-wrap site-footer-row site-footer-row-columns-1 site-footer-row-column-layout-row site-footer-row-tablet-column-layout-default site-footer-row-mobile-column-layout-row ft-ro-dir-row ft-ro-collapse-normal ft-ro-t-dir-default ft-ro-m-dir-default ft-ro-lstyle-plain"> <div class="site-footer-bottom-section-1 site-footer-section footer-section-inner-items-1"> <div class="footer-widget-area site-info site-footer-focus-item content-align-center content-tablet-align-center content-mobile-align-default content-valign-default content-tablet-valign-default content-mobile-valign-default" data-section="kadence_customizer_footer_html"> <div class="footer-widget-area-inner site-info-inner"> <div class="footer-html inner-link-style-plain"><div class="footer-html-inner"><p><span class="customize-control-description">© 2025 Earth How</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></footer></div><div id="mobile-drawer" class="popup-drawer popup-drawer-layout-sidepanel popup-drawer-animation-fade popup-drawer-side-left" data-drawer-target-string="#mobile-drawer"> <div class="drawer-overlay" data-drawer-target-string="#mobile-drawer"></div><div class="drawer-inner"> <div class="drawer-header"> <button class="menu-toggle-close drawer-toggle" aria-label="Close menu" data-toggle-target="#mobile-drawer" data-toggle-body-class="showing-popup-drawer-from-left" aria-expanded="false" data-set-focus=".menu-toggle-open" > <span class="toggle-close-bar"></span> <span class="toggle-close-bar"></span> </button></div><div class="drawer-content mobile-drawer-content content-align-left content-valign-top"> <div class="site-header-item site-header-focus-item site-header-item-mobile-navigation mobile-navigation-layout-stretch-false" data-section="kadence_customizer_mobile_navigation"> <nav id="mobile-site-navigation" class="mobile-navigation drawer-navigation drawer-navigation-parent-toggle-false" role="navigation" aria-label="Primary Mobile Navigation"> <div class="mobile-menu-container drawer-menu-container"> <ul id="mobile-menu" class="menu has-collapse-sub-nav"><li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17132"><a href="https://earthhow.com/atmosphere/">Atmosphere</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17131"><a href="https://earthhow.com/biology/">Biology</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17130"><a href="https://earthhow.com/career/">Career</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17129"><a href="https://earthhow.com/geology/">Geology</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17128"><a href="https://earthhow.com/space/">Space</a></li> <li class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17127"><a href="https://earthhow.com/water/">Water</a></li> </ul></div></nav></div></div></div></div><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="//earthhow.com/wp-content/cache/wpfc-minified/20wy7k05/445gh.css" media="all"/> <div id="search-drawer" class="popup-drawer popup-drawer-layout-fullwidth" data-drawer-target-string="#search-drawer"> <div class="drawer-overlay" data-drawer-target-string="#search-drawer"></div><div class="drawer-inner"> <div class="drawer-header"> <button class="search-toggle-close drawer-toggle" aria-label="Close search" data-toggle-target="#search-drawer" data-toggle-body-class="showing-popup-drawer-from-full" aria-expanded="false" data-set-focus=".search-toggle-open" > <span class="kadence-svg-iconset"><svg class="kadence-svg-icon kadence-close-svg" fill="currentColor" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><title>Toggle Menu Close</title><path d="M5.293 6.707l5.293 5.293-5.293 5.293c-0.391 0.391-0.391 1.024 0 1.414s1.024 0.391 1.414 0l5.293-5.293 5.293 5.293c0.391 0.391 1.024 0.391 1.414 0s0.391-1.024 0-1.414l-5.293-5.293 5.293-5.293c0.391-0.391 0.391-1.024 0-1.414s-1.024-0.391-1.414 0l-5.293 5.293-5.293-5.293c-0.391-0.391-1.024-0.391-1.414 0s-0.391 1.024 0 1.414z"></path> </svg></span> </button></div><div class="drawer-content"> <form role="search" method="get" class="search-form" action="https://earthhow.com/"> <label> <span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span> <input type="search" class="search-field" placeholder="Search …" value="" name="s" /> </label> <input type="submit" class="search-submit" value="Search" /> <div class="kadence-search-icon-wrap"><span class="kadence-svg-iconset"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="kadence-svg-icon kadence-search-svg" fill="currentColor" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="26" height="28" viewBox="0 0 26 28"><title>Search</title><path d="M18 13c0-3.859-3.141-7-7-7s-7 3.141-7 7 3.141 7 7 7 7-3.141 7-7zM26 26c0 1.094-0.906 2-2 2-0.531 0-1.047-0.219-1.406-0.594l-5.359-5.344c-1.828 1.266-4.016 1.937-6.234 1.937-6.078 0-11-4.922-11-11s4.922-11 11-11 11 4.922 11 11c0 2.219-0.672 4.406-1.937 6.234l5.359 5.359c0.359 0.359 0.578 0.875 0.578 1.406z"></path> </svg></span></div></form></div></div></div><noscript id="wpfc-google-fonts"><link rel='stylesheet' id='kadence-fonts-gfonts-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Inter:regular,800,700,600&display=swap' media='all'/> </noscript> <script id="kadence-navigation-js-extra">var kadenceConfig={"screenReader":{"expand":"Child menu","expandOf":"Child menu of","collapse":"Child menu","collapseOf":"Child menu of"},"breakPoints":{"desktop":"1024","tablet":768},"scrollOffset":"0"};</script> <script>document.documentElement.classList.remove('no-js');</script> <script data-noptimize>document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id", "a0ca8d01676a1dff7288c549b697b003");document.getElementById("i477054932").setAttribute("id", "comment");</script> <script>document.documentElement.style.setProperty('--scrollbar-offset', window.innerWidth - document.documentElement.clientWidth + 'px');</script> <script defer src='//earthhow.com/wp-content/cache/wpfc-minified/13nwc9nw/445g5.js'></script> <script>document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',function(){function wpfcgl(){var wgh=document.querySelector('noscript#wpfc-google-fonts').innerText, wgha=wgh.match(/<link[^\>]+>/gi);for(i=0;i<wgha.length;i++){var wrpr=document.createElement('div');wrpr.innerHTML=wgha[i];document.body.appendChild(wrpr.firstChild);}}wpfcgl();});</script> </body> </html>