Earth or earth?

[profiterolesarelovely]

Google seems divided. Which should I use when talking about our planet? “The Earth” seems to require capitals and id be inclined to use a capital when talking about Earth as it’s a name.
Any advice or insight much appreciated.

You are correct - our planet needs capitals as it's a name. I would also capitalise 'The' if it's being used in conjunction.

You would not use a capital if the word was being used in the context of soil or ground.

This is spot on.

@profiterolesarelovely. Complicated. Obviously, as pointed out, the planet is a proper noun and takes a capital. Mercury, Mars, Earth, Venus etc. And soil is a noun with no capital. Thus compost, earth, grit etc.

But what about the oft-quoted example 'we know earth is rich in minerals'? Depends on context. We know Earth is rich in minerals while Jupiter is mostly gas. I doubt sand is rich in minerals, although earth is.

It's the Earth (or is it The Earth?), but not The Mars or The Neptune. But it's also Earth, the third planet.

I edit science books and prefer Earth. Sometimes publishers want "the Earth", I wouldn't capitalise The.
We would also use the Moon and the Sun if referring to our moon and our sun.