Science: IGY

The earth is a minor, insignificant planet in the vast universe, but it is important to its inhabitants, and it is an inconvenient object for them to study. It is too big to be observed from one or a few places. Its surface is covered with rapidly moving fluids. Its atmosphere swirls with big and little storms. Its oceans are stirred by currents. Its solid crust shakes like jelly, and its plastic interior probably flows slowly in largely unknown ways. Influence? from the sun and beyond the sun affect the passive earth. Cosmic rays from the depths of space beat upon...

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