Interactive Simulations

Explore exoplanet phenomena through interactive visualizations

Transit Method Visualization

Watch how a planet passing in front of its star causes a dip in brightness. Adjust the planet size and orbital speed to see how it affects the light curve.

Transit View
Light Curve
Planet Size20px
Orbital Speed1.0x

As the planet transits across the star, it blocks a portion of the star's light, creating a characteristic dip in the light curve. Larger planets create deeper transits, while the transit duration depends on the planet's orbital speed and size.

Planetary Orbit Simulator

Visualize how planets orbit their host stars. Experiment with different orbital parameters like eccentricity and semi-major axis.

Eccentricity0.30
0 = circular, higher = more elliptical
Semi-Major Axis100px
Orbital size
Legend
Aphelion (farthest)
Perihelion (closest)

Planets follow elliptical orbits with the star at one focus. Higher eccentricity creates more elongated orbits, causing the planet to move faster when closer to the star (Kepler's laws).

Habitable Zone Calculator

Calculate the habitable zone for different types of stars. See where liquid water could exist on a planet's surface.

Select Star Type
Habitable Zone
Planet Distance from Star1.00 AU
Inner Edge
0.95 AU
Outer Edge
1.37 AU
Status
Habitable
Star Type
G-type (Sun-like)
Temperature
5800K
Luminosity
1× Sun
HZ Width
0.42 AU

The habitable zone is the region around a star where liquid water could exist on a planet's surface. More luminous stars have wider habitable zones located farther from the star, while dimmer stars have narrower zones closer in.