This photo essay is a history of the Earth.

Our solar system formed as clouds of gas and dust transformed into solid matter. We should not run from substance as readily as we often do. (Illustration by NASA.)

Because erosion is so slow on the moon, evidence of past traumas is evident. It is good to move ahead. (Photo by NASA.)

The Earth was formed by accretion. This is the process of things finding each other and becoming more than they were before. This is so even if all that results is a popcorn ball. (Photo by Evan-Amos.)

Ingredients for life were here long before life began. Helium--for example-- was such an element. It takes time for things to click to where we can have balloons, create websites and get our acts together. (Photo by RiseRover.)
The Earth and solar system not only orbit the Milky Way, but where within the galaxy the solar system is in that 200 million year orbit may impact conditions on Earth. The reason things take place may have a deep cause.

There is only so far that we can bore into the Earth to see what is down there. We use indirect methods to see what is taking place internally. Who knows what people are thinking?

Light elements that did not escape into space after the formation of the Earth were retained by gravity and formed the atmosphere. Lightness and levity are good things.

Plate tectonics show that things shift over time. Even the most seemingly immovable things are in motion.

The Earth's surface has been made over many times. So what is wrong with reinventing ourselves? (Photo by KaurJmeb)

Most of the Earth is uninhabitable for people. There is a lot of sky, desert, sea and underground. This is being so, it is not surprising that at times day-to-day life can feel uninhabitable.

We hold off the elements with varying degrees of success.

We can lose track of what is natural and what is made by people. The difference is not so important as all things exist from the same source.