Explore the fundamentals of Earth Science in this 42-minute introductory video lecture. Delve into topics such as the definition of Earth Science, its relationship with Environmental Science, and the various scales of space and time in Earth Science. Examine the geologic time scale and learn about the nature of scientific inquiry, including observation and measurement techniques. Discover the early evolution of Earth, the Nebular Theory, and gain perspective on the size and scale of our solar system. Investigate Earth as a system, exploring its layers, the hydrological cycle, and the planet's unique status as the "Water Planet." Study the face of Earth, including the continents and their formation. Enhance your understanding with visual resources from NASA's Visible Earth collection and the Earth and Moon Viewer tool, providing a comprehensive overview of our home planet's structure, processes, and place in the cosmos.