3D tool
Solar System Explorer
A three-dimensional model of the solar system driven by real orbital periods and relative distances. Drag to orbit the camera, scroll to zoom, and click any body for its physical and orbital data. The simulation clock can be paused or run forward at up to a year per second.
Simulated values for education. Orbits and geometry are simplified; results are approximations, not an ephemeris and not a substitute for your equipment manual.
The 3D model needs WebGL. The table below carries the same heliocentric longitudes, distances and elongations for today's date.
- Time — pause / 1× / 1 day per second / 1 month per second / 1 year per second
- Scale — visible scale (readable) or true relative scale
- Toggles — orbit lines, body labels, star field
- Camera — drag to rotate, scroll to zoom, click a body to select it
- Simulated date — the date and time the model is currently showing
- Planet positions — heliocentric longitude and distance for each body
- Next opposition or conjunction — computed for the selected planet
- Observing note — elongation and best-viewing guidance for the selected planet
Without WebGL the explorer shows a two-dimensional top-down orbit diagram with the same planet positions, the same simulated date and the same data panel. Every number the 3D view produces is still available.