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Solar System SimulatorThe planets where they really are, on any date.
About this solar system simulator

Solar System Simulator: the planets where they really are

Where are the planets right now? This 3D solar system puts every planet where it really is on any date from 1800 to 2050, using NASA/JPL orbits. Speed up time, fly to Saturn or the Moon, switch to true scale to see how empty space really is, launch a spacecraft to Mars in the next launch window, watch Mars loop backwards in the sky, and find out which planet is closest to Earth.

3D solar system with the glowing Sun at the centre, coloured orbit rings, the asteroid belt and planets including Jupiter and ringed Saturn against a starry sky

How to use the solar system simulator

  1. Ask a question on the right, the simulator sets the date, the camera and the speed, and the card explains what you see.
  2. Time: ▶ plays, the speed buttons set how fast, ◀◀ runs backwards, and the date box jumps to any day from 1800 to 2050.
  3. Look around: drag to rotate, pinch or scroll to zoom. Tap a planet or its label to fly there. True scale shows the real sizes and distances.

The planets are placed with NASA/JPL orbital elements, so oppositions, retrograde loops and launch windows fall on the real dates.