An interactive 3D visualization of our solar system at true scale — where 1 pixel equals the Moon's diameter (3,474.8 km).
Inspired by Josh Worth's "If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel", this project extends the concept into fully interactive 3D space. Navigate freely, travel at light speed, and truly experience the vast emptiness between planets.
- True astronomical scale - All distances and sizes proportionally accurate
- Free 3D navigation - Explore from any angle
- Light-speed travel - Press C to travel at 299,792 km/s (still takes 8 minutes from Sun to Earth!)
- Multiple speed modes - Normal, Fast (Shift), and Light Speed
- Planet information - View distances, sizes, and travel times
- Real-time rendering - Smooth 60+ FPS
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
W A S D |
Move forward/left/backward/right |
Mouse |
Look around |
Scroll |
Zoom in/out |
Shift |
Fast speed mode (hold) |
C |
Toggle light-speed mode |
ESC |
Exit |
Dependencies: GLFW, GLM, OpenGL 3.3+
make
./build/mainBuilt and tested on Linux with Nix. ImGui and GLAD are included in the project.
- Launch the program
- Use
Wto move forward (you start near the Sun) - Press
Cto enable light-speed mode - Navigate to Earth (about 43,000 pixels away)
- Watch the timer — even at light speed, it takes 8+ minutes!
Tip: The further you travel, the more you'll appreciate the vast emptiness of space.
| Object | Distance from Sun | Travel Time at Light Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 57.9 million km | 3.2 minutes |
| Earth | 149.6 million km | 8.3 minutes |
| Mars | 227.9 million km | 12.7 minutes |
| Jupiter | 778.5 million km | 43 minutes |
| Neptune | 4.5 billion km | 4+ hours |
Remember: 1 pixel = 3,474.8 km (the Moon's diameter)
This is version 1.0. More features and improvements are planned for future releases.
Inspired by Josh Worth's "If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel"
Built with: OpenGL, GLFW, GLM, Dear ImGui
MIT License - See LICENSE file
See AUTHORS.md for credits
Version 1.0