Many-body orbital systems
The Solar System
A star, eight planets, Pluto and 21 major moons — all connected by gravity.
Launch Simulation ↗GRAVITATIONAL FIELD · ILLUSTRATION
THE PHYSICS
A closer look.
Kinetic and pairwise gravitational potential energy describe the system's Newtonian energy.
E = Σ ½mᵢvᵢ² − Σᵢ<ⱼ Gmᵢmⱼ/rᵢⱼ
G is the gravitational constant, M and m are masses, r is separation, c is the speed of light, and b is impact parameter where applicable.
What you can learn
- Explore major satellite systems
- Investigate conservation diagnostics
- Switch between illustrative orbits and observational positions
Default bodies
33 gravitating bodies, including Ceres and Vesta
GRAVITATIONAL FIELD · ILLUSTRATION
Rounded parameters, illustrative initial phases and circular initial orbits. The dense asteroid backdrop is visual; Real Planet Positions is a separate observational mode.
Space fabric illustrates gravitational influence; it is not a numerical solution of the full Einstein field equations. Visual sizes can be enlarged independently of physical collision radii.