Night Sky Simulations

 

These simulations are used to visualize how objects look in space versus how they appear to viewers on Earth.

Coordinates

 

Simulation to illustrate coordinates that astronomers use to describe where things are in the sky.  Both Horizon coordinates and Equatorial coordinates are available.

Lunar Phases

Simulation to illustrate the relationship between the location of the Moon and Sun relative to the Earth and how that causes the Moon to appear from an observer on Earth.  Views facing East, South and West show the view of the sky from an observer on Earth allowing students to determine if the moon is rising or setting.

A screenshot of a computer

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

The Solar System

Simulation to illustrate the orbits, orientation, motion, and basic data of each planet in our solar system and the Sun.  Orbit location and size of planets are NOT to scale.  Information could be used to allow students to investigate patterns in the solar system (orbital patters, density patterns, composition patterns, etc).