Steve Dodge, age 72, of Highland, Ind., for his question:

HOW MUCH DOES THE EARTH WEIGH?

Scientists estimate that the world is 4.5 billion years old. They've also made a good estimate on earth's weight. Are you ready for a big number? Scientists figure the earth weighs 6.6 sextillion tons. Here's how that figure looks printed out completely: 6,600,000,000,000,000,000,000.

The earth's total area is 196,940,400 square miles, with land taking about 30 percent or 57,280,000 square miles. The 70 percent water covers an area of 139,660,400 square miles.

What about the high and the low? Highest spot on earth is Mount Everest which is 29,028 feet above sea level. Lowest land is in California's Death Valley: 1,299 feet below sea level.