Tech Stack

Orbitarium was built using Three.js to model the planets and their orbit lines. We used JSON files to store the Keplerian parameters for each planet and we made custom python functions for each of the Keplerian equations to output an array of positions corresponding to the orbit at a given time. This was optimized using time scaling factors, that were then used to accurately interpolate the positions between keyframes in the web app.

Core Features and Benefits

->3D Solar System Orrery:

Orbitarium includes a 3D orrery (a mechanical model that represents the solar system) featuring the eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
The orbits of these planets have been meticulously calculated using Keplerian parameters and equations derived from data provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ensuring scientifically accurate motion and positions.

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->User Navigation:

Users can freely explore the virtual solar system in three dimensions using their mouse and arrow keys, allowing for a more immersive experience.
Direct viewing modes offer the ability to lock onto specific planets, providing detailed observation of their movement and trajectory through space. This feature enhances the educational aspect by showing planetary dynamics and relationships in real-time.

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->Educational Value:

The application’s primary goal is to be an accessible tool for students to visualize and understand the trajectory of planetary orbits in relation to each other.
It provides a dynamic and interactive learning experience, supplementing traditional educational materials with a visual and engaging representation of astronomy concepts.
The accurate simulation of planetary orbits helps students grasp complex astronomical phenomena such as the elliptical nature of orbits and how gravitational forces influence the movement of celestial bodies.

->Future Development:

Addition of Smaller Celestial Bodies:

Plans are in place to include asteroids, comets, and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) in future updates. These additions will help illustrate the diversity of objects in our solar system and the potential impact of their trajectories on planetary orbits.

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Inclusion of Moons:

Beyond the planets, Orbitarium will eventually model the moons of Earth and other planets, providing a more comprehensive view of our solar system.

Educational Growth:

The goal is to expand the model to encompass more celestial objects, fostering an early interest in space science. By offering an open-source platform, Orbitarium invites collaboration and enhancement from the global educational and scientific community.

->Cross-Platform and Open-Source Nature:

Orbitarium is built as a cross-platform application, making it accessible on various devices such as PCs, tablets, and potentially even mobile phones. This flexibility ensures that the educational tool can reach a broad audience. As an open-source project, Orbitarium encourages contributions from developers and educators worldwide. This not only facilitates ongoing improvements but also helps adapt the tool to various educational settings and languages.

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2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge

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