3D Solar System Lab

An interactive three-dimensional model of the Solar System. Rotate, zoom and animate the planets while exploring orbital distance, period, velocity, eccentricity and inclination.

3D Orbit Explorer

Drag to rotate the Solar System, scroll or pinch to zoom, and use the controls below to change the mathematical representation of the system.

30%
Drag = rotate    Scroll = zoom    Right-drag = pan

Earth

Distance 1.00 AU
Period 365.25 days
Velocity 29.78 km/s
Eccentricity 0.0167
Inclination 0.00 deg
Simulation year: 1.00 Earth position: 0 deg Model: Keplerian approximation

Selected Planet

Orbital distance
1.000 AU
Orbital period
1.000 years
Orbital velocity
29.78 km/s
Eccentricity
0.0167

What the 3D model is showing

The model uses simplified Keplerian orbital mechanics rather than real-time planetary ephemerides. Orbital periods, semi-major axes, eccentricities and approximate inclinations are based on standard Solar System values.

The planets are deliberately enlarged so that they remain visible. Distance and planet-size scales can therefore be controlled separately. This is a visualisation of the mathematics, not a photographic scale model.

Mathematics behind the motion

Kepler's third law
T2 = a3
For the simplified Solar System model.
Orbital velocity
v = √(GM/r)
Circular-orbit approximation.
Ellipse
e = 0 → circle
Larger eccentricity produces a more elongated orbit.
Inclination
3D orbit plane
Different planets have slightly different orbital planes.