This window allows the user to view the solar system from any angle.
Initially the view is from the top looking down onto the plane of the solar system (where top is above the earth's northern hemisphere). Dragging the mouse from left to right rotates the solar system counter-clockwise, which is the direction the planets travel through time. Dragging the mouse vertically adjusts the tilt of the plane along a horizontal axis. Portions of the orbit paths that are closer than the sun will appear brighter, while those farther will appear dimmer.
Zooming in or out can be done with the mouse wheel.
Scrollbars can be added via "Options" on the menubar. They are particularly handy if only one axis of rotation is desired.
The orbital paths are based on planet velocities at their current positions and do not take into account later effects from other planets, thus their paths will vary slightly.
The following keys are active in the solar system window:
Key | Function |
z | Zoom in |
Shift-z | Zoom out |
Shft-Up arrow | Shift tilt scrollbar up 1° |
Shft-Down arrow | Shift tilt scrollbar down 1° |
Shft-Right arrow | Shift rotate scrollbar right 1° |
Shft-Left arrow | Shift rotate scrollbar left 1° |
Shft-Page Up | Shift tilt scrollbar up 15° |
Shft-Page Down | Shift tilt scrollbar down 15° |
Ctrl-Up arrow | Shift tilt scrollbar up 15° |
Ctrl-Down arrow | Shift tilt scrollbar down 15° |
Ctrl-Right arrow | Shift rotate scrollbar right 15° |
Ctrl-Left arrow | Shift rotate scrollbar left 15° |
F1 | Show general help |
F2 | Show this help page |
F10 | Activate menubar |
Escape | Cancel menu |
'CapsLock' is ignored.