OrbitView.live

About OrbitView

OrbitView is a real-time interactive visualization of our solar system, designed to make space exploration accessible and educational for everyone.

🌟 Our Mission

We believe that understanding our place in the universe should be easy and enjoyable. OrbitView brings the complexity of orbital mechanics and astronomical data into an intuitive, visual format that anyone can explore.

🔬 The Science

OrbitView uses real astronomical data and calculations to position planets accurately:

  • Orbital Elements: Based on J2000 epoch data from NASA/JPL
  • Kepler's Equations: Accurate orbital mechanics calculations
  • Real-time Updates: Continuously updated positions
  • Historical Accuracy: View planetary positions at any date

Note: While positions are calculated using accurate astronomical algorithms, some simplifications are made for visualization purposes. For precise ephemeris data, consult NASA's HORIZONS system.

🎯 Features

🪐 8 Planets

Explore all major planets with detailed information and facts

🌙 Moons

View major moons including Earth's Moon and Jupiter's Galilean satellites

🌑 Dwarf Planets

Discover Pluto, Ceres, Eris, and other dwarf planets

🛰️ ISS Tracking

Real-time position of the International Space Station

⏰ Time Travel

View past and future planetary positions

📚 Historical Events

Explore famous space missions and celestial events

🎨 Customizable

Toggle features, change themes, adjust visual settings

📱 Mobile Friendly

Touch gestures and responsive design for all devices

🛠️ Technology

OrbitView is built with modern web technologies:

  • Vanilla JavaScript: No frameworks, pure performance
  • ES6 Modules: Clean, modular code architecture
  • Canvas API: Smooth animations and effects
  • CSS3: Beautiful, responsive design
  • Web APIs: LocalStorage for preferences, Geolocation, etc.

📖 Educational Use

OrbitView is perfect for:

  • Classroom demonstrations and teaching
  • Student projects and research
  • Amateur astronomy enthusiasts
  • Anyone curious about space!

Teachers and educators are encouraged to use OrbitView in their lessons. Contact us for bulk access or educational partnerships.

🙏 Credits & Acknowledgments

  • Data Sources: NASA/JPL, International Astronomical Union
  • Inspiration: Solar System Scope, NASA Eyes, Celestia
  • ISS Tracking: Where the ISS at? API

💬 Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, suggestions, or just want to share your experience:

Email Us GitHub Twitter

📜 License & Usage

OrbitView is open source and free to use. The code is available on GitHub under the MIT License. Feel free to:

  • Use it for personal or commercial projects
  • Modify and adapt it to your needs
  • Contribute improvements back to the project
  • Share it with others

We only ask that you provide attribution and link back to OrbitView.live