Earth 3D Orbit Simulator
Explore Earth in 3D, including its orbit around the Sun, distance, physical characteristics and major moons.
Explore Earth in 3D
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only world known to host life. Its near-circular orbit and 23.4° axial tilt give us the seasons.
Earth facts
| Mean radius | 6,371 km |
|---|---|
| Mass | 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg |
| Orbital period | 365.25 days |
| Average distance from Sun | 1.00 AU (≈149.6 million km) |
| Day length | 23.9 hours |
| Number of moons | 1 |
| Notable moons | The Moon |
Why Earth's orbit matters
Earth does not move in a perfect circle. Like every planet it follows an ellipse, so its distance from the Sun — and from Earth — changes over time. That is why Earth’s brightness and apparent size vary, and why it is best observed at certain times. See Keplerian orbits explained.
FAQ
Can I see Earth's moons?
Yes. Focus Earth in the simulator and turn on the Moons layer to watch The Moon orbit it.
Is Earth shown to scale?
You can choose. Real-scale mode is physically faithful (so Earth looks tiny and far away), while visible mode enlarges it so it is easy to see.
Does the simulator use real orbital data?
Yes — Earth is placed using real Keplerian orbital elements. The model is simplified for clarity (see the Data Sources page), not a spacecraft-grade ephemeris.