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Real-time Solar System with 526k asteroids and satellites

Hacker News •
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A new web-based visualization offers a real-time 3D model of the solar system, featuring 526,000 asteroids and all tracked satellites. The project, hosted at space.bl2.net, provides an interactive view of celestial bodies orbiting the Sun, updated with live tracking data.

The map includes 526,000 known asteroids, displayed alongside all human-made satellites currently being tracked. Users can zoom in and out, rotate the view, and select specific objects to see their orbits and trajectories. The interface uses data from NASA and other space agencies to ensure accuracy.

This tool is designed for both educational purposes and casual exploration. It allows users to appreciate the scale and density of objects in our solar system, from the inner planets to the outer asteroid belt. The real-time aspect means the positions of asteroids and satellites update continuously, reflecting their actual movements.

The project was shared on Hacker News, where it received 51 points and 21 comments. The creator noted the challenge of compiling data from multiple sources to create a seamless experience. Feedback from the community highlighted its usefulness for astronomy enthusiasts and students.