# Help with finding online orbital mechanics simulator? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 20, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-finding-online-orbital-mechanics-simulator/427119 "2007-11-20T01:13:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-finding-online-orbital-mechanics-simulator/427119/1 "2007-11-20T01:13:07Z")
I’m wondering if all the wise internet trawlers of the dope can help me to find a fun toy that I used to visit. It was a relatively simple system that did the orbital mechanics of the solar system, little dots for the planets that orbited the sun and left tracks. The best part was you could move things around and see what was and wasn’t stable. I found it at [howstuffworks.com](http://howstuffworks.com) years ago, but I haven’t been able to find it since. Any of ya’ll have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-finding-online-orbital-mechanics-simulator/427119/2 "2007-11-20T05:40:07Z")
Was it downloadable, or a java applet, or did it use flash/shockwave? That might help find it. ---
**Author:** ![fifty-six](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@fifty-six](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fifty-six)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-finding-online-orbital-mechanics-simulator/427119/3 "2007-11-20T06:34:43Z")
Try this. [http://orrery.unstable.cjb.net/](http://orrery.unstable.cjb.net/) The 3D version looks just like what you were describing. I tried several versions on the net. I found it on this site. [http://www.cuug.ab.ca/kmcclary/](http://www.cuug.ab.ca/kmcclary/) ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-finding-online-orbital-mechanics-simulator/427119/4 "2007-11-20T07:12:54Z")
Not downloadable, I lean towards it being a java applet. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-finding-online-orbital-mechanics-simulator/427119/5 "2007-11-20T12:45:25Z")
[QUOTE=Darth Sensitive] I’m wondering if all the wise internet trawlers of the dope can help me to find a fun toy that I used to visit. It was a relatively simple system that did the orbital mechanics of the solar system, little dots for the planets that orbited the sun and left tracks. The best part was you could move things around and see what was and wasn’t stable. I found it at [howstuffworks.com](http://howstuffworks.com) years ago, but I haven’t been able to find it since. Any of ya’ll have any ideas? [/QUOTE] [hijack] I just briefly read your title and thought that you were looking for a genital stimulator. :smack: [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-finding-online-orbital-mechanics-simulator/427119/6 "2007-11-20T15:46:44Z")
It’s actually the Gravitation 3.8 on that page. Thanks!