Solar System Model Instructions

From GeoMod

Simple model of the solar system showing the orbits of the planets. (Planets are not to scale)

Contents 1 Uses 2 Download Software 3 User's Guide: Model Controls 4 Multimedia 5 References 6 Notes

Uses

• The model has been used as part of an introductory class on Earth Sciences for the lecture and lab on the formation of the Earth.

Download Software

Operating System	Version	Download
All OSs (with VPython installed)	9 Planet model	The 9 Planet Model code page
All OSs (with VPython installed)	Inner planets plus Jupiter	The inner planets plus Jupiter code page
Windows XP and Vista installer	9 Planet model	solarsystem-01_GeoMod.exe (2.9Mb)
Windows XP and Vista installer	Inner planets plus Jupiter	solarsystem_innerplanets-01_GeoMod.exe (2.9Mb)

User's Guide: Model Controls

This model can be zoomed and rotated in the standard VPython way.

Multimedia

References

• Orbital data was gained from the NASA planetary fact sheets.

Notes

• The relative sizes and shapes of the orbits are correct in this model, as are the relative orbital periods.
• Planet sizes are magnified by 100,000 times.
• The orbital ellipticities and inclination (tilt of the orbit relative to the Earth's) are correct, as is the longitude of perihelion. The longitude of the ascending node is not yet in the model.