The app is arranged so that the view is fixed to the stars and that Polaris is always off the top of the screen (and not shown). Earth's TiltĪs you may know, the Earth's axis is tilted over by 23.4 degrees and the Earth's North Pole currently points at the star known as Polaris - the North Star. So be aware that just because the app may occasionally show a planet and a dwarf planet to be very close to each other in the plan view, they may, in fact, be separated by a large perpendicular distance. This is because their orbital planes are tilted with respect to the ecliptic - by more than 40 degrees in some cases.

Solar System Map of Current Planetary Positionsīoth apps show a solar system map - a 'plan view' of the planets laid out in the plane of the ecliptic (the flat plane in which all the main planets move about the Sun).ĭwarf planet positions are also shown - but it should be realised that these objects often rise far above and below the plane of the ecliptic. If you have our mobile version enabled then we'll be showing you a simpler view of the solar system showing you the current planetary positions with the option of moving up to 30 days forwards or backwards. If you have our desktop version enabled on your computer, then the application shown above plots the position of the Earth and planets using data from this NASA's JPL website and is accurate between 3000 BCE and 3000 CE. Our live Solar System Map - Getting Oriented This online orrery (Note: an orrery is a machine that shows planetary positions) will hopefully help you to understand what's going on out there. If you've ever sat outside at night and got into an discussion about whether that bright star is actually a planet, and if it is - 'Which planet is it?', then this site might help narrow down the options! For others, getting an understanding of where the Earth is in relation to the Sun and moon and planets is just, well, sort of nice to know. For astronomers, it's equally important to know where the planets are so that they can observe them. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.For people interested in astrology the current positions and movements of the planets are very important and can give you a clue into how you are feeling and how your day is going to pan out. The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 'to promote the progress of science to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare to secure the national defense.'ĪUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.įounded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation

Look towards the stars