Solar System Scope

Explore the Solar System in 3D

Solar System Scope is an interactive space exploration activity where you can discover the Sun, planets, moons, and other objects in our solar system. Instead of reading about planets in a textbook, you can explore a moving three-dimensional model of space.

The activity lets you look closely at planets, follow their paths around the Sun, and learn interesting facts about the universe.

You can move around the model, zoom in on different objects, and change your view to explore the solar system from different angles.

Solar System Scope does not have enemies to defeat or levels to complete. You can explore freely and choose what you want to learn.

Visit the Eight Planets

Our solar system contains eight planets that travel around the Sun.

Solar System Scope lets you explore Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Each planet has a different appearance and interesting features.

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. Venus has a thick atmosphere and extremely high surface temperatures. Earth is our home and the only planet where we know life exists.

Mars is famous for its reddish surface. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, while Saturn is well known for its beautiful rings.

Uranus and Neptune are distant planets with cold atmospheres.

You can select different planets to examine them and learn more about their characteristics.

Watch the Planets Move Around the Sun

One of the most interesting parts of Solar System Scope is watching how the planets travel through space.

Each planet follows a path called an orbit.

Mercury travels around the Sun much faster than Neptune because it has a smaller orbit and moves at a higher orbital speed.

You can explore the movement of planets and use the time controls to observe how their positions change.

This helps explain why planets take different amounts of time to complete one journey around the Sun.

Explore the Night Sky and Constellations

Solar System Scope also lets you examine the night sky.

You can look for stars and constellations, which are groups of stars that form recognizable patterns when viewed from Earth.

The night sky changes depending on where you are and the time of year.

The activity allows you to explore these changes by adjusting the viewing location and time.

You can also discover other space objects and learn more about the world beyond our solar system.

How to Use Solar System Scope

Start by opening the solar system model.

Use your mouse to move around the view and examine the planets from different directions.

Zoom in to get a closer look at an object or zoom out to see more of the solar system.

Select a planet to explore its appearance and read information about it.

You can also switch to the night sky view to investigate stars and constellations.

Learn About Space at Your Own Pace

Solar System Scope gives children a visual way to learn astronomy.

Try comparing the sizes of different planets or looking at how far they travel around the Sun.

You can explore Earth's Moon, observe Saturn's rings, and investigate the movements of the planets.

Solar System Scope turns space learning into an activity where you can freely explore, ask questions, and discover new things about our solar system.