Kepler’s Laws: Patterns of Planetary Motion
Use this instrument to connect orbit shape to speed changes (Kepler 2) and connect orbit size to period scaling (Kepler 3).
draft readiness: experimental Orbits 10–20 min Both
Explore
Play with the universe. Learn the physics.
Interactive exhibits for seeing how astronomy actually works.
Cosmic Playground is in active beta. Use status and readiness badges to judge classroom readiness.
Start here: Gravity & Orbits
Begin with the core orbit ideas before branching out.
Retrograde Motion: Apparent Longitude from Relative Motion
Use a simple Keplerian model to visualize how the direction to a planet can briefly reverse in the sky (retrograde) even though the planet n
draft readiness: experimental EarthSky Orbits 10–20 min Both
Binary Orbits: Two-Body Dance
This pilot demo visualizes two masses orbiting a shared barycenter. It emphasizes *qualitative* relationships (how the barycenter shifts and
draft readiness: experimental Orbits 10–20 min Both
- Predict
- Play
- Explain
A simple loop for every exhibit.
Earth & Sky
Moon phases, seasons, and the view from Earth.
Moon Phases: Light, Not Shadow
A short, interactive model for relating phase angle to what fraction of the Moon appears illuminated.
beta readiness: candidate EarthSky ≤10 min Both
Angular Size: The Sky’s Ruler
This demo explores why objects can look big or small in the sky depending on both their physical size and their distance.
draft readiness: experimental EarthSky ≤10 min Both
Eclipse Geometry: Shadows in Space
This demo helps explain why eclipses do not occur every month: the Moon must be at New/Full *and* near a node so its ecliptic latitude $|\be
draft readiness: experimental EarthSky 10–20 min Both
Seasons: Why Tilt Matters
This demo lets you change day-of-year, axial tilt, and latitude to explore how sun angle and day length change through the year in each hemi
draft readiness: experimental EarthSky 10–20 min Both
Planetary Conjunctions: Alignments in the Sky
Explore how conjunctions and oppositions are line-of-sight alignments caused by relative motion, and estimate how long it takes for the same
draft readiness: experimental EarthSky Orbits ≤10 min ASTR101
Orbits
Kepler's laws, retrograde motion, and gravitational dynamics.
Conservation Laws: Energy & Momentum
Start with a circular case ($v/v_{\\rm circ}=1$), then move toward escape ($\\sqrt{2}$) and beyond to see how $\\varepsilon$ changes sign.
draft readiness: experimental Orbits ≤10 min Both
Planetary Conjunctions: Alignments in the Sky
Explore how conjunctions and oppositions are line-of-sight alignments caused by relative motion, and estimate how long it takes for the same
draft readiness: experimental EarthSky Orbits ≤10 min ASTR101
Light & Spectra
Blackbody radiation, electromagnetic spectrum, and spectral analysis.
Blackbody Radiation: Thermal Spectrum and Temperature
Use the temperature slider (or presets) to compare where the spectrum peaks and how the overall power changes.
draft readiness: experimental LightSpectra 10–20 min Both
Electromagnetic Spectrum: Light Beyond Visible
This demo helps you connect wavelength, frequency, and photon energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.
draft readiness: experimental LightSpectra ≤10 min Both
Telescopes
Resolution, diffraction, and optical design.
Data & Inference
Statistics, measurement, and scientific reasoning.
Stars
Stellar structure, evolution, and equations of state.
Stars on the ZAMS: Mass, Metallicity, and H-R Position
This ASTR 201 instrument turns the H-R diagram into a model-driven lab by tying each plotted point to explicit ZAMS assumptions and units.
draft readiness: experimental Stars 10–20 min ASTR201
EOS Lab: Pressure Support in Stars
A pressure-channel lab for ASTR 201 that keeps units explicit, assumptions visible, and model diagnostics tied to the same state.
draft readiness: experimental Stars 10–20 min ASTR201