This 2D visual model illustrates the scale of the sun and planets in our solar system, and their current distance from each other.

We just passed 1 billion km. I guess this is why most maps of the solar system aren't drawn to scale. It's not hard to draw the planets. It's the empty space that's a problem. Most space charts leave out the most significant part – all the space. We're used to dealing with things at a much smaller scale than this.

The vast distances and differences in space and time that are present in the real solar system can make observation boring or intimidating. This model contains real data and real orbital math; but distances and differences in space and time are algorithmically reduced to make the exploration experience more interesting and fun.

Observe a team as they build an accurate scale model of the solar system on a dry lakebed in Nevada in this video from Wylie Overstreet and Alex Gorosh. Use this resource to visualize the abstract concept of the size and scale of the solar system and to develop and use models.

The best way to understand the true dimensions of the solar system is to create a scale model. Use the tool below to visualize the solar system at various scales. Choose the size of the Sun you want in your model in STEP 1. The dimensions of the other objects and their distances will be calculated automatically.

Solar System to Scale Sun is scaled one meter (39") in diameter Actual Size of Sun: 1,391,000 km (864,000 mi) AU (“Astronomical Unit”) is the average distance between the Sun and Earth: 150 million km (93 million mi) A little more than 100 Sun diameters will span the distance of one AU Neptune Actual Size: 49,500 km (30,800 mi) diameter

This page shows a scale model of the solar system, shrunken down to the point where the Sun, normally more than eight hundred thousand miles across, is the size you see it here. The planets are shown in corresponding scale.

Make a scale model of the Solar System and learn the REAL definition of "space." This Page requires a JavaScript capable browser. Fill in the diameter of the Sun you want your model to be scaled by. You can fill in either the red bordered inches box or the green bordered millimeters box. Important: Only fill in one box. If both are filled in ...

Do you need a dramatic way to help your community understand the true scale of the solar system, both size and distance? We have designed a scale model that centers on an 8' diameter Sun and extends through the local area. If your space is not large enough, you can use a satellite image with the planet orbits marked.

Radius of everything is divided by 13900 km (making the sun exactly 100 units big) Textures from https://www.solarsystemscope.com/textures/ Includes: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Also includes: Moon, Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, Eris. Made in Blender. You must log in to comment.