3D Solar System Simulator

The sun is at the center of the solar system. Nine known planets (some say eight, excluding Pluto), their moons, and countless asteroids, meteoroids, and comets are held in their orbits around the sun by its powerful gravitational force. Click and drag on the solar system to view it from different angles. Click on the magnifying glass to zoom in and out. Click on the buttons under the solar system to learn more about a planet or object in our solar system.

Our solar system is nearly five billion years old. It is made up of eight planets, nine if you count Pluto that has recently been grouped with the other so-called dwarf planets, and more than 170 moons. In addition there are thousands of asteroids and comets, all orbiting around the central sun.

Earth is the third planet from the sun. Earth is unique in our solar system because it is the only planet with liquid water on its surface.

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun. It is the largest and most massive planet. Galileo discovered four of Jupiter's moons: Io, Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa. Jupiter has a thick atmosphere mainly made up of hydrogen and helium.

Most asteroids revolve around the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This region of the solar system is called the asteroid belt. Over 10,000 asteroids have been discovered. Most asteroids are less than 1 km in diameter. The largest asteroids Ceres, Pallas, and Vesta are more than 300 km across.

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