NASA has released a new 3D free interactive web based application enabling viewers to see the solar system. “Eyes on the Solar System” uses video game technology along with real images, unbelievable models and NASA data to let you control what you see from anywhere in the solar system.
Director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division, Jim Green, said “This is the first time the public has been able to see the entire solar system and our missions moving together in real time. It demonstrates NASA’s continued commitment to share our science with everyone.”
Users of “Eyes on the Solar System” can explore cosmos and asteroids, and take flight around Saturn or view Earth from above. Time can be sped up to see the motion of the planets and their satellites or you can view the solar system moving in real time.
The locations of NASA spacecraft can be followed and you can see what a spacecraft would see. You can go into modules that show missions such as Juno, fly with Voyager 2 or join Casinni. Besides these, NASA’s modeling group is working on models of Phoeniz, Mars Science Laboratory, Mars Odyssey and Mars Express.
The program is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X, and works in IE and Safari although it is recommended users use Firefox for best viewing. Before downloading the application, the Unity Web Player for Mac or PC must be downloaded as well.
To check out ‘Eyes on the Solar System’ go to http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eyes. Your keyboard and mouse will take you to amazing places you have never been!
