A solar system you can explore
Virtual Solar System Simulator is an interactive astronomy experience for exploring planets, orbital paths and the surrounding star field. Start with the view of the system, move closer to a world that catches your attention, and compare that close-up with the wider arrangement of planets. It is a space to look around, ask questions and follow your curiosity without a score or countdown.
The explorer offers both a view from space and a view of the sky above a horizon. Those perspectives tell different stories: one helps you picture paths around the Sun, while the other helps connect labeled objects and constellations with the sky as it appears from a viewing location. Switch between them using the controls inside the simulator.
How to get started
- Let the simulator finish loading, then click or tap inside the scene when prompted to run the model. The first interaction can also enable its audio.
- Drag the scene to look around. Use the zoom controls or your mouse wheel to move between a broad view and a closer inspection. On touch devices, use the gestures supported by the embedded explorer.
- Select a labeled object or use the magnifying-glass search control to find a destination. Start with Earth, then compare the view with another planet.
- Open the view controls to explore a different perspective. The settings menu provides additional display choices.
- Use the time controls along the bottom to inspect the displayed date and time and control the passage of time. Fullscreen gives the scene and its menus more room.
Notice the paths between the planets
Begin with a wide view and look for the orbital paths. Then choose a planet and move closer. Returning to the overview helps connect its individual appearance with its place in the system. Try the rocky inner worlds first, then visit the larger outer planets. The labeled scene provides a useful starting point for comparing their appearances and identifying familiar names.
For a simple exploration activity, choose three objects, find each one using the search or scene labels, and describe one visual difference. Next, change the viewpoint and see which objects remain easy to identify. Slow down or pause the model while looking closely so that changing time and changing camera position do not become confusing.
Explore the night sky
The sky view includes a horizon, direction markers, labeled objects and constellation lines. Use it to connect the planet names from the space view with locations in the sky. A line joining stars is a visual guide to a constellation pattern; it does not mean those stars are physically connected. Check the simulator's displayed time and viewing settings when comparing one scene with another.
Sound, fullscreen and restarting
The embedded explorer starts with its own sound enabled; your browser may wait for a click or tap before allowing playback. Use the speaker control inside the scene whenever you want to mute it. Fullscreen enlarges the playground without changing pages. Exit using the fullscreen control or Escape where supported. On phones, rotating to landscape can give the controls more space.
If you lose your place, use the explorer's view controls or the page's Restart explorer button. Restart reloads the embedded experience and clears the current view, so use it when you want a fresh start. Allow the scene to load again before interacting. An internet connection and a browser capable of rendering the embedded 3D content are required.
A visual introduction to astronomy
Use this simulator for discovery and visual comparisons. Display scale, lighting, textures and time controls can emphasize visibility, so an attractive scene should not be treated as a direct measurement of size, distance or brightness. This page does not certify the embedded model as a precision ephemeris or a tool for planning observations. Read the object's information and the active display settings before drawing conclusions from its apparent size or motion.
For a different kind of experiment, try Orbit Maker, where you can create bodies and edit orbital properties. Virtual Solar System Simulator focuses on exploring the supplied astronomy experience through its own navigation and display controls.