Metaplanets features high quality interactive streaming 3D animations of our solar system. The planetary models are based on USGS data gathered from NASA space missions. Use your mouse to control the animations, or your fingers on mobile.

We would love to continue development on this site, and hope to be able to offer a more comprehensive visual experience as well as more information on the features of the different planets.

History

This site has been around since the millenium, since its author decided it would not only be fun to build, but a neat way to show his daughter space and the Internet at the same time.

The technology used to create this site is now obsolete, but we’re in the process of rebuilding.

Gratitude

Metaplanets is grateful to its sponsors and to those organizations and individuals who have provided invaluable resources for the creation of this website.

Assistance, maps, and data provided by USGS, and the following individuals:

Ricardo Cabello (@mrdoob), Paul Brunt, Branislav Ulicny & other contributors to Three.js
David Seal (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Björn Jónsson of The Planetary Society
James Hastings-Trew
Lee Stemkoski
Jos Dirksen
Michael Bond & Justin Holdstock

planets2008.jpg adapted for use with this site.

Awards and Exposure

Metaplanets has been featured on Stephen Cole’s top technology show, ClickOnline on the BBC television network in 2002, as well as on BBCworld.

You can see a short write-up there, as well as view the entire show from the archives on that page if you are interested.

Additionally, Metaplanets has won a number of awards, including the
Dr. Matrix Award for Science Excellence as a Student Resource, and the
Dr. Matrix Award for Science Excellence in Astronomy and Space Science. Metaplanets has been used in K-12 classrooms all over the world as well as in numerous universities and by the US Navy.