This is a graphic program that is a
model of our solar system. It includes all 8 planets, the Sun, and two
moons: ours, and Jupiter's Europa.
In order to make the program more visually appealing, the sizes and
distances are not to scale with one another. The planet sizes are
all
to scale with each other, as are the distances and orbital speeds.
Features:
- Camera controls (zoom and rotate about the sun)
- Two camera modes: overhead and on-axis
- Fully textured models from actual NASA data
- Movement and animation controlled by a hierarchical model
- Lighting based at the sun
Hopeful future implementations:
- Physics-based movement
- Movement trails to show orbits
- Recreation of historical astronomic events (launch the Voyager spacecraft for example)
- User-created objects, solar systems, and events
- More accurate representation of most major objects in our solar system