Solar System Builder

Create custom solar systems with realistic physics! Drag-drop planets, design orbits, simulate gravity. Educational tool meets creative playground for space enthusiasts and learners alike.

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Inspiration

  • When I was small, I used to watch Discovery Science shows about space and universe
  • There was a chapter about solar system in my 3rd class book that made me very interested
  • After 12th, I studied physics and my love for space grew more
  • When I saw this hackathon, I thought - why not make a tool where people can build their own solar system?
  • This way kids and students can learn about space in a fun way

What it does

  • Users can create their own solar system on a web page
  • Each planet has different mass and size
  • When you start simulation, planets start moving around the sun
  • You can make them move faster or slower
  • Everything happens in real time - you see results instantly
  • It helps people understand how planets move in space

How we built it

  • Frontend: TypeScript, Next.js
  • Styling: Tailwind CSS, Shadcn UI
  • Physics: Custom TypeScript code for orbital movement
  • Icons & Animation: Lucide React library
  • Platform: vercel
  • All physics calculations done with our own code logic

Challenges we ran into

  • Making the physics work correctly was very hard
  • Getting planets to move in proper orbits took lot of time, it was lagging, and revolving wasn't smooth
  • Making sure app runs smoothly when many planets are moving

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Successfully made real-time physics simulation work
  • Planets actually move like real space objects
  • Made complex space science easy to understand
  • Created something that combines education with fun
  • Built entire system from scratch in hackathon time

What we learned

  • Mass Logic: How to calculate planetary masses and their effects
  • UI Development: New techniques with Shadcn UI components
  • TypeScript: Better coding skills for complex calculations
  • Physics Programming: How to convert space science into working code
  • Real-time Animation: Making smooth movements and updates

What's next for Solar System Builder

Short Term Goals:

  • Add more types of planets (gas giants, rocky planets)
  • Include stars of different sizes
  • Add moons that orbit around planets

Long Term Vision:

  • Add real space things like black holes, asteroid belts
  • Make more advanced physics for complex movements
  • Let users save and share their solar systems
  • Create community where people can see others' creations
  • Make it a complete learning platform for space education
  • Add educational content about each planet and space facts

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