How I Used Three.js To Create a Real-Time Solar System Simulation In The Browser

Atlas26: A Browser-Based Real-Time Solar System Most solar system simulations are pre-animated. I wanted to build something different, a system that actually evolves with time. So I built Atlas26, a real-time 3D solar system in the browser using Three.js. The concept was straightforward, I wanted to build a system that feels alive, where everything constantly changes in response to time, in place of static animations. Fundamental Idea The majority of solar system demonstrations are animated beforehand. Atlas26 is not the same: Everything is motivated by time. Positions are continuously computed. You have time control (speed/pause). Characteristics Moons and planets in orbit Dynamic-path comets Kuiper belt + asteroid belt Satellites in real time (ISS, HST) Global time controller Performance scaling based on devices Responsive design Obstacles A major obstacle was striking a balance between Actuality , Performance and Scalability . Performance and load speed became challenging as more ob