Description
๐ Explore
Build your own celestial system and command gravitational orbits in space. Experiment with stars, planets, and moons to see how gravity and velocity create stable orbits or cosmic collisions.
๐ฎ Try It
โข In Intro mode, drag the planet's velocity arrow to change its initial speed and direction, then press Play.
โข Turn on Paths to trace the planetary orbit and check Predict to see the future trajectory.
โข In Lab mode, explore presets like Slingshot or Binary Star to watch how multiple masses tug on each other.
๐ฏ Your Mission
In Intro mode, adjust the planet's speed until its stretched, oval orbit becomes a smooth, near-perfect circle.
๐ Real-World Connection
Space probes like Voyager used gravitational slingshot flybys around Jupiter and Saturn to gain speed and reach the outer solar system without using fuel.