Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Wanderstar, the free interactive 3D solar system simulator.
What is Wanderstar?
Wanderstar is a free, interactive 3D solar system simulator you run in your browser. It renders the Sun, the eight planets, major moons, the asteroid belt, dwarf planets, the Kuiper Belt and comets on their real elliptical orbits.
Is Wanderstar free?
Yes. Wanderstar is completely free, with no signup and no account required. Just open it in a browser.
Does Wanderstar use real orbits?
Yes. Bodies are placed using real Keplerian orbital elements (eccentricity, inclination, and so on) and Kepler’s equation, rather than fake flat circles. So planets follow elliptical paths, speed up near the Sun and slow down farther away.
Is the Solar System shown to scale?
You can choose. A "real scale" mode uses one linear factor for every size and distance (physically faithful, so planets become tiny and far apart), while a "visible" mode enlarges bodies so they stay easy to see. The app is honest about which mode you are in.
Can I use Wanderstar in a classroom?
Yes — it is designed for it. There is no login, it runs in any modern browser, and it is great for demonstrating orbital motion, planet distances, moons, asteroids and comets. See the For Teachers page for classroom activity ideas.
Does Wanderstar show moons?
Yes. Major moons of Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are included and orbit their planets. You can focus a planet and follow its moons in 3D.
Does Wanderstar show asteroids and comets?
Yes. The asteroid belt, the Kuiper Belt, dwarf planets and several comets (with their tails) are all included, each on its own orbit.
What data sources does Wanderstar use?
Physical and orbital data are based on publicly available astronomical sources such as the NASA Planetary Fact Sheet and JPL Solar System Dynamics. See the Data Sources page for details and honest caveats.
Can I share a specific planet view?
Yes. Use the "Share this view" button to copy a link that reproduces your current date, focused body, scale mode and visible layers. You can also deep-link directly, for example /?focus=mars.
Does Wanderstar work on mobile?
Yes, it runs in mobile browsers. It is a 3D WebGL app, so a recent phone gives the smoothest experience; the educational guide pages are lightweight and work everywhere.