One map, one moment.
Each symbol marks the geometric position calculated for the selected date. Positions are projected onto the reference J2000 ecliptic plane, viewed from its north side. The Sun is at the origin; Earth–Moon mode follows Earth.
The portal / Explore the sky / Atlas of our Solar System
Atlas of our Solar System · Time in motionThe worlds.
The worlds.
On their orbits.
Advance a day, travel back through the years or let time run. Explore the planets’ positions around the Sun, then approach the Earth–Moon neighbourhood.
One moment.
Eleven reference points.
Eleven reference points.
The Sun, the eight planets, Pluto and the Moon.
Positions calculated from 1900 to 2100.
ATLAS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEMVIEW FROM THE NORTH ECLIPTIC POLE
Calculating positions…
Distances to scale · symbols enlarged
Drag to move the map; use the wheel or pinch to zoom. Click an object for information. With the map focused, use the keyboard: arrows to move, + / − to zoom, Home to reset the framing, Space to animate.
Times are calculated in UTC.1 AU = 149,597,870.7 km
Reading distances.
Understanding scale.
Change your perspective.
Projected distances retain a linear scale. At Neptune’s scale, the inner planets appear clustered around the Sun: zoom in to distinguish them. The Moon appears on the map only in the Earth–Moon view.
Enlarged worlds.
Discs are enlarged so they can be selected; their diameters and colours are illustrative. Saturn’s rings are a symbol. The view does not represent the appearance through a telescope.
Table of positions at the selected time
| Object | Category | Distance from the Sun · AU |
|---|
Calculations, sources and limitations
Ephemerides and transformations: Astronomy Engine, Don Cross, version 2.1.19, MIT licence, retained on the site. Heliocentric vectors are converted from the J2000 equatorial frame to the J2000 ecliptic frame. Geometric positions do not account for light travel time to an observer on Earth.
Paths show sampled positions around the selected date. They are updated daily in close-up views and every 30 days in the full view; they do not predict an unchanging track. Long orbits may appear as partial arcs because samples stay within 1900–2100. During animation, path updates are limited to keep navigation smooth. Object position calculations always follow the displayed time.
This first version shows the Sun, eight planets, the Moon and Pluto. Other satellites, asteroids and comets are not included. Time zone names and clock changes rely on the browser’s database.