An interactive astronomical journey

Solar System:
Orbital Journey

See how our planetary system moves through the Milky Way.

Follow eight planets for 165 years, then change your point of view to discover that the Sun is moving too.

8 planets 165 Earth years 3 perspectives

Motion calculated from JPL approximate orbital elements

Methods and attribution

Sources & Credits

Motion model

Planet positions use NASA/JPL Table 2a and 2b approximate orbital elements, valid from 3000 BC to AD 3000. Earth is represented by the Earth–Moon barycenter. This is an educational approximation, not navigation-grade ephemeris data.

JPL Approximate Positions of the Planets

Physical data

Mean radii, rotation periods, orbital periods, and axial tilts come from JPL and NASA/NSSDC technical tables. Giant-planet textures rotate at an adopted reference period; their atmospheres rotate differentially.

JPL Planetary Physical Parameters

Images

Planet maps are adapted from NASA 3D Resources and the USGS MESSENGER global Mercury mosaic. Uranus, the cloud veil, rings, solar granulation, and the diffuse Milky Way are locally generated representative treatments—not live observations. Saturn and Neptune appearance maps are representative.

NASA 3D Resources USGS Mercury mosaic NASA Milky Way concept

NASA and USGS are acknowledged as source organizations. Their use does not imply endorsement. Sources retrieved September 29, 2026.