DR.Orbit vs Solar System Scope

Demonstration of how a mass (e.g. earth) can orbit around a gravitational well (e.g. sun). Use your finger to push the mass onto a trajectory that results in a stable orbit around the well. Use the options menu to introduce some drag (good to get rid of the mass), to bring up some eye candy or to influence the movement of the mass by tilting your iPad. Physics background: Gravitational forces act between masses. In this demonstration a big stationary mass is situated in the center of the screen. Its location is fixed and it is hidden behind a cap. If you put a small mass onto the screen, it begins accelerating towards the big mass until it disappears under the cap "into the drain". You can prevent your mass from going down the drain by giving it an initial push. Try experimenting with the directions of your pushes. If it is done right, the small mass will be falling around the big mass without - in theory - ever disappearing into the drain. But due to the not very accurate numerical methods used for the calculation of the trajectory of the mass, the reality in this demonstration might be different. This also applies to the background grid on the screen: It does not show the correct wraping of space caused by the big mass in the middle of the screen. Its shape is a compromise between aesthetics and numerics. Link to demonstration video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwXI-EiZE4o

Solar System Scope is a fun way of Exploring, Discovering and Playing with the Solar System and Outer Space. Solar System Scope (or just Solar) contains many views and celestial simulations, but most of all - it brings you closer to the furthest reaches of our world and lets you experience lots of fantastic space sceneries. It aspires to be the most illustrative, easy to understand and simple to use space model. - 3D Encyclopedia In Solar’s unique encyclopedia you will find the most interesting facts about every planet, dwarf planet, every major moon and more – and everything is accompanied by realistic 3D visualizations. Solar’s encyclopedia is available in 10 languages: English, Spanish, German, Russian, Italian, Korean and Slovak. More languages are coming soon! - Nightsky Observatory Enjoy Stars and constellation of the night sky as viewed from any given location on Earth. You can point your device at the sky to see all objects in their proper place, but you can also simulate Night sky in the past or in the future. Now with advanced options that let you simulate ecliptic, equatorial and azimuthal line, or grid (among other things). - Scientific Instrument Solar System Scope calculations are based on up-to-date orbital parameters published by NASA and let you simulate celestial positions at any given time. - For Everyone Solar System Scope is well suited for all audiences and ages: It is enjoyed by space enthusiasts, teachers, scientists, but Solar is successfully used even by children of 4+ years of age! - Unique Maps We are proud to present a very unique set of planetary and moon maps, that let you experience a true-color space as never before. These accurate maps are based on NASA elevation and imagery data. Colors and shades of the textures are tuned according to true-color photos made by Messenger, Viking, Cassini and New Horizon spacecrafts, and the Hubble Space Telescope. Basic resolution of these maps is for free – but if you would like the best experience, you can check out the highest quality, which is available with In-App purchase. - Join our vision Our vision is to build the ultimate space model and bring you the deepest space experience. And you can help - try Solar System Scope and if you like it, spread the word! And don’t forget to join the community and vote for new features on our homepage.