Interactive Solar System Physics Engine
A high-fidelity celestial mechanics simulation that balances astronomical accuracy with interactive performance, enabling real-time exploration of our solar system's complex dynamics.
Celestial Mechanics Implementation ⚛️
Orbital Dynamics
- Keplerian Motion ✅r = a(1 - e²)/(1 + e·cos θ)
θ = ω·t + θ₀
where: a = semi-major axis, e = eccentricity,
ω = angular velocity, t = timeImplements elliptical orbits with precise eccentricities, from Mercury's pronounced 0.205 to Neptune's nearly circular 0.010.
- Axial Characteristics ✅
Incorporates unique planetary tilts, from Venus's retrograde 177.3° to Uranus's perpendicular 97.8°, affecting seasonal variations and rotational dynamics.
- Simplified Physics ℹ️
N-body gravitational interactions and Lagrange points are omitted for performance, focusing instead on primary orbital relationships.
Planetary Properties 🪐
Orbital characteristics and rotational properties:
Inner Planets
- Mercury: e=0.205, tilt=0.03°
- Venus: e=0.007, tilt=177.3° ↺
- Earth: e=0.017, tilt=23.5°
- Mars: e=0.094, tilt=25.2°
Gas Giants
- Jupiter: e=0.049, tilt=3.1°
- Saturn: e=0.057, tilt=26.7°
- Uranus: e=0.046, tilt=97.8° ⟂
- Neptune: e=0.010, tilt=28.3°
Satellite Systems 🌙
Orbital periods relative to parent bodies, showcasing the diverse timescales in our solar system:
Inner System
- Earth's Moon: 13.4 orbits/year
- Mars's Phobos: 3.14 orbits/day
- Mars's Deimos: 0.79 orbits/day
Jovian System
- Io: 1.77 day period
- Europa: 3.55 days
- Ganymede: 7.15 days
- Callisto: 16.69 days
Saturnian System
- Titan: 15.95 days
- Enceladus: 1.37 days
- Rhea: 4.52 days
- Mimas: 0.942 days
- Iapetus: 79.32 days
Outer Moons
- Uranian: Miranda (1.413d) to Oberon (13.5d)
- Neptunian: Triton (5.877d, retrograde)
- Plutonian: Charon (6.387d) to Hydra (38.2d)
Technical Architecture 🔧
Rendering Pipeline
- Dynamic Resolution ✅detail = baseDetail / zoom
lineWidth = baseWidth / zoom - Coordinate Transformations ✅worldToScreen(x, y) = (x·zoom + offset.x, y·zoom + offset.y)
screenToWorld(x, y) = ((x - offset.x)/zoom, (y - offset.y)/zoom)
Visualization Features
- Orbital Trails ✅
200-point dynamic trails with opacity gradients (0 to 0.5), visualizing complex orbital patterns and epicyclic motion.
- Scale Adaptations ✅
Proportional but non-linear scaling preserves visual clarity while maintaining relative relationships.
- Time Dilation ✅
Accelerated temporal progression (1s ≈ 16 Earth days) enables observation of long-period phenomena.
Implementation Notes 📝
This simulation prioritizes educational value and interactive engagement while maintaining scientific accuracy in relative motions and relationships. The visualization employs sophisticated rendering techniques including gradient-based trails, atmospheric effects, and dynamic scaling to create an immersive exploration of celestial mechanics.