Play & Explore

Here are three space toys you can play with. Move things, tap things, and see what happens — that is exactly how scientists learn!

Orbit Explorer

Press Play to watch the planets move. Notice how the planets near the Sun move fast, and the far ones move slowly. Tap any planet to learn about it. Move the slider to change the speed.

Tap a planet to learn its name.

How Far Is Each Planet?

Tap a planet to see how far it is from the Sun. We shrink the whole Solar System so the Sun becomes a football — then see how far each planet would be!

Pick a planet above.

Two Seasons at Once

The Earth leans to one side, and that lean always points the same way in space. Move the slider through the year and watch: the hemisphere that leans towards the Sun (shown brighter) has summer, while the other has winter — at the very same time!

Month

August

Brighter half = leaning towards the Sun = summer.