Planetarium

An interactive 3D visualization of the Solar System inspired by NASA’s “Eyes on the Solar System.”

Planetarium is a real-time, browser-based Solar System simulator built with TypeScript, React, and Three.js.

It allows users to explore the planets in 3D with accurate orbital positions, realistic rotations, and a dynamic time control system. All orbital motion is computed using custom orbital element processing, ensuring mathematical precision and realism.

Key Features

• Real-Time Planetary Positions — Computed from custom orbital mechanics code

• Accurate Planetary Rotation and Tilt — Realistic day-night cycles and axial tilt simulation

• Interactive Time Control — Adjust time to view planetary motion across epochs

• Customizable Orbital Elements — Modify orbits dynamically and observe real-time changes

• High-Performance 3D Rendering — Built with Three.js for smooth visualization

• Modern Architecture — Structured with TypeScript and React for scalability and maintainability

Technical Highlights

• Implements mathematical orbital element calculations (Keplerian elements → Cartesian coordinates)
• React handles state management and UI logic for time and orbit controls
• Three.js powers real-time rendering, lighting, and object transformations
• TypeScript enforces strong typing and reliability across the project

Getting Started

git clone https://github.com/rijulpaul/Planetarium.git
cd Planetarium
npm install
npm run dev