From the protoplanetary disk that birthed our solar system to Europa's hidden ocean — explore the geology, atmospheres and orbital mechanics of worlds beyond Earth.
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Planet formation, atmospheres, impacts, and surface processes — modelled
Planetary science simulations model the formation and evolution of planets and their surface environments. Accretion-disk simulations show how dust and gas in a proto-planetary disk coagulate into planetesimals under gravitational attraction and collisional sticking, eventually clearing orbital resonances to form a stable planetary system. Impact-crater simulations model the acoustic and shock dynamics of large-body impacts, computing ejecta blanket extent and crater morphology as functions of impactor energy and target properties.
Atmospheric-circulation models simulate Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells on a rotating sphere, explaining the belt-and-zone wind systems seen on Jupiter and Saturn. Tidal-locking calculations show how differential gravitational torques synchronise a moon's rotation period to its orbital period. These are the same computational approaches used in planetary-science missions — from Mars InSight seismology to Cassini atmospheric dynamics — made accessible as interactive browser simulations.
Each simulation in this category is built with accuracy and interactivity in mind. The underlying mathematical models are the same ones used in academic research and professional engineering — just made accessible through a web browser. Changing parameters in real time and observing the results is one of the most effective ways to build intuition for complex scientific and engineering concepts.
Topics and algorithms you'll explore in this category
Common questions about this simulation category
Every Planetary Science simulation here runs free in your browser, letting you experiment with each interactive Planetary Science model — orbital mechanics, planetary formation and gravitational dynamics — without installing anything. Adjust parameters, observe real-time results and learn Planetary Science online at your own pace, whether you are a student, educator or curious researcher. Planetary Science examines the origin, structure and evolution of planets, moons, asteroids and other bodies that make up our Solar System and beyond, combining physics, chemistry and geology to explain phenomena from ring dynamics to volcanic activity on distant worlds. Insights from this field directly support space mission planning, the search for potentially habitable environments and our broader understanding of how rocky and gas worlds form around young stars.