ASTEREORRY is an interactive web-based orrery, designed to visualize and educate users on the orbits of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), with a particular focus on Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). Our tool provides an engaging experience for middle and high school students, making the study of space, asteroids, and their potential impact on Earth accessible and fun.
ASTEREORRY offers a 3D, web-based interactive orrery that models the Solar System with a focus on Near Earth Objects, especially PHAs. Users can explore the Solar System with:
- Planetary orbits: All planets scaled with respect to Earth and shown in astronomical units (AU).
- Near-Earth asteroid orbits: Using real-time data from NASA’s Small-Body Database, we display interactive asteroid orbits.
- Zoom & Focus: Easily zoom into planets and asteroids, gaining perspective on their relative distances and trajectories.
- Scaling: All planets are scaled with respect to the Earth, with their distances from the Sun based on AU (Astronomical Units).
- 3D Interaction: The orbits of near-Earth asteroids are represented with clickable CAD models, and users can zoom in/out to explore asteroid paths.
- Real-time Data: The asteroid data is dynamically imported from NASA’s API to display accurate Near-Earth Object information.
- User-Friendly Controls: Designed for ease of use, with intuitive controls for younger audiences to explore space.
- Visual Learning: This web app provides an accessible, interactive way to visualize the orbits of potentially hazardous asteroids and understand their possible impacts on Earth.
- Engaging Interface: The 3D models and controls make space exploration fun and informative for students.
- Focus on Education: Tailored to middle and high schoolers, with simplified concepts for easy understanding of complex topics like orbital mechanics and asteroid hazards.
Our primary objective is to educate students about Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) and potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) through an immersive, interactive experience. The tool offers a clear visualization of the dangers posed by asteroids while promoting the importance of ongoing research.
- React.js for building the user interface.
- Three.js for rendering 3D elements and interactive space environments.
- TypeScript for type-safe and maintainable code.
- NASA's Small-Body Database API for real-time asteroid data.
We plan to expand the ASTEREORRY platform to make it even more engaging and informative, including:
- Pop-ups with Asteroid Information: Display details about each asteroid, including when it will pass by Earth, its distance from the planet, and orbital parameters.
- Orbital Parameters Explainer: Provide educational pop-ups explaining orbital elements (eccentricity, semi-major axis, etc.) in simpler terms for younger audiences.
- Interactive Games:
- Identify potentially hazardous asteroids based on provided parameters.
- Simulate asteroid impact scenarios and explore redirection missions like NASA's DART.
- Fun Facts: Include interesting details like Earth’s "mini-moons" and other space trivia.
We welcome contributions! Feel free to fork the repository, report issues, or submit pull requests.
This project is open-source and available under the MIT License.