World storyWorld
Solar System Observatory
Enter a 3D lineup built from NASA equatorial diameters. Every globe shares one physical size scale, from the Sun at about 109 Earth-widths down to Mercury at 0.38. The gaps are compressed so the comparison remains explorable.
Compare eight familiar Milky Way stars on one physical radius scale—from the pulsing red supergiant Betelgeuse to tiny Proxima Centauri. Then continue through the planetary frontier, from Jupiter down to Mercury.
Use Fit all stars for the full stellar lineup, select any object for close inspection, or begin the Cosmic Descent: a continuous guided journey from the largest star to the smallest planet.
Approximate stellar properties compiled from NASA's Universe glossary, NASA's Betelgeuse guide, and ESA Hipparcos. The deep-sky environment uses ESA/Gaia/DPAC EDR3 data (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO); the Sun's EUV view is NASA/GSFC/SDO AIA 171 imagery. Evolved-star sizes vary by method and time.
Drag to orbit. Use the wheel or trackpad to zoom, and select any world in space or from the target rail. The on-screen Zoom In and Zoom Out controls provide the same movement.
Everything you need is controlled by touch. Start with these six moves:
Drag one finger across empty space to orbit the camera around the current world.
Spread two fingers to zoom in. Pinch them together to zoom out. The Zoom buttons also work.
Tap a planet in space or tap its abbreviation on the bottom rail. Then tap the named Details button to read its story and facts.
Turn on Free Roam to drag through the system. Use two fingers together to pan. Center Sun brings you safely home.
Tap Start Voyage for an automatic tour of the Sun and every planet. Pause orbital time whenever you want to linger.
True Scale compares planet sizes, Stellar Scale descends from giant stars to small worlds, and Space Photos opens the gallery.
On iPhone or iPad, use Share → Add to Home Screen. Store packages use the same full-screen experience.
Already using the Android app? Nothing else is required. In a supported mobile browser, use Install Orbital Atlas when the button appears.
Planetary surface maps by Solar System Scope (CC BY 4.0), based on NASA imagery and elevation data. Earth night lights: NASA/GSFC. Deep sky: ESA/Gaia/DPAC EDR3 (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO). Solar EUV imagery: NASA/GSFC/SDO.
Music: the original Orbital Suite—Solar Drift, Deep Field, Cosmic Descent, and Beyond the Blue. Space is used under the Pixabay Content License.
Privacy · Orbital Atlas stores only local preferences and has no accounts or advertising.
Planetary surface maps by Solar System Scope (CC BY 4.0), based on NASA imagery and elevation data. Earth night lights: NASA/GSFC. Deep sky: ESA/Gaia/DPAC EDR3 (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO). Solar EUV imagery: NASA/GSFC/SDO.
Music: the original Orbital Suite—Solar Drift, Deep Field, Cosmic Descent, and Beyond the Blue. Space is used under the Pixabay Content License.
Privacy · Orbital Atlas stores only local preferences and has no accounts or advertising.