solar-system · 3D

Drag to orbit · scroll to zoom · right-drag to pan · Space = play/pause · R = reset view · F = fullscreen

Science

Solar system

A detailed model of the solar system: the Sun with its glow, eight planets with generated surfaces, the rings of Saturn and Uranus, Earth's Moon, the four Galilean moons, Titan and an asteroid belt of 1800 rocks.

Key points

Real orbital periods — the planets start at their computed positions for today's date; the time-lapse runs at 1, 10 or 100 days per second.
Axial tilt and spin — Earth 23.4°, Uranus lies on its side at 98°, Venus spins backwards.
Kepler — inner planets are much faster: Mercury needs 88 days, Neptune almost 165 years.
Focus — click a planet – the camera flies there and follows it; ⟲ Overview takes you back.

What to look for

Distances and sizes are compressed (otherwise the planets would be tiny dots), spin and moons are slowed down. Orbital periods, order, axial tilts and positions are correct.

Notes

Surfaces are generated in the browser (no image files) – the demo also works offline.
“Orbits” and “Names” can be hidden.

Simplified model: circular orbits in one plane, values from the NASA Planetary Fact Sheet.

planetssolar systemmoonsorbitastronomy