Description
๐ Explore
See how gravity holds planets and moons in orbit across space. Experiment with star and planet masses to see how gravitational forces shape cosmic pathways.
๐ฎ Try It
โข Turn on Gravity force and Velocity vectors to see the direction of the forces acting on the orbiting body.
โข Check Path to trace the orbit, then increase the star's mass slider while the planet is moving.
โข Switch between Model and To Scale views to compare exaggerated graphics with realistic cosmic distances.
๐ฏ Your Challenge
Find a way to make the planet crash into the central star simply by changing the star's mass slider.
๐ Real-World Connection
GPS and communication satellites orbit Earth at exact speeds and altitudes so Earth's gravitational pull keeps them in steady, predictable orbits.