Right now, Mercury is 0.89 AU from Earth, Venus is 1.56 AU, Mars is 2.29 AU, Jupiter is 5.12 AU, and Saturn is 10.48 AU away.
Solar System Map FAQ
Where are the planets right now?
The map above shows the current position of all eight planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — calculated from NASA JPL orbital data. Click any planet to see its distance from the Sun and Earth in real time.
How far is Mars from Earth right now?
The distance between Mars and Earth changes constantly as both planets orbit the Sun at different speeds. Click Mars on the map above to see the current distance. Mars ranges from about 0.37 AU (55 million km) at closest approach to 2.68 AU (401 million km) when on the opposite side of the Sun.
How long does it take each planet to orbit the Sun?
Mercury: 88 days. Venus: 225 days. Earth: 365.25 days. Mars: 687 days (1.9 years). Jupiter: 4,333 days (11.9 years). Saturn: 10,759 days (29.5 years). Uranus: 30,687 days (84 years). Neptune: 60,190 days (165 years). Use the time-lapse controls to watch these orbits in action.
How are the planet positions calculated?
This map uses NASA JPL's Keplerian orbital elements with secular perturbation rates for the period 1800–2050 AD. Six orbital parameters are computed for the current date per planet, then Kepler's equation is solved iteratively using Newton-Raphson to determine the exact position in the ecliptic plane. Positions are accurate to within 1 degree.
What am I looking at?
You're seeing a top-down view of the solar system from above the ecliptic plane — the plane of Earth's orbit. The Sun is at the center, and all eight planets are shown at their actual heliocentric positions. The Moon is shown orbiting Earth. Distances use a hybrid logarithmic scale so both inner and outer planets are visible.
Are the planet sizes to scale?
No — planet sizes are exaggerated for visibility. If drawn to scale with the orbital distances shown, even Jupiter would be an invisible dot. However, the relative positions and orbital shapes are accurate.
Can I see past or future positions?
Yes! Use the time controls to pause and scrub to any date. Speed options range from real-time (1x) to 30 simulated days per second. The date picker lets you jump to any specific date between 1800 and 2050 AD.
What is an Astronomical Unit (AU)?
One Astronomical Unit equals the average distance from Earth to the Sun — approximately 149.6 million km (93 million miles). Neptune, the outermost planet, orbits at about 30 AU from the Sun.
About This Solar System Map
This interactive orrery shows the current positions of all eight planets and the Moon, viewed from above the ecliptic plane — the flat disc defined by Earth's orbit around the Sun. The Sun sits at the center, and each planet is plotted at its true heliocentric position calculated from NASA JPL orbital data.
Planet positions are computed using JPL's Keplerian orbital elements valid for 1800–2050 AD. For each planet, six orbital parameters are evaluated for the current date, then Kepler's equation is solved via Newton-Raphson iteration to determine the exact ecliptic coordinates. The Moon's position uses a truncated lunar theory algorithm based on Meeus' Astronomical Algorithms. All positions are accurate to within 1 degree.
Distances are measured in Astronomical Units (AU) — one AU is the average Earth–Sun distance, about 149.6 million km. The map uses a hybrid scale: linear within 2 AU and logarithmic beyond, so both the inner rocky planets and distant gas giants are visible simultaneously.
Use the time controls to watch planetary orbits unfold. At '1d/s' speed, one simulated day passes per second — Mercury completes an orbit in about 88 seconds, Earth in roughly 6 minutes. Increase to '30d/s' to see all planets visibly moving, including the slow outer giants.
See today's moon phase on the Moon Phase Calendar. Explore Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) — the proposed time standard for the Moon.
Current Planet Distances & Orbital Data
| Planet | Dist. from Sun | Dist. from Earth | Orbital Period | Orbital Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 0.47 AU | 0.89 AU (133,424,274 km) | 88 days | 47.4 km/s |
| Venus | 0.72 AU | 1.56 AU (232,825,056 km) | 225 days | 35.0 km/s |
| Earth | 1.00 AU | — | 365.25 days | 29.8 km/s |
| Mars | 1.38 AU | 2.29 AU (342,527,698 km) | 687 days | 24.1 km/s |
| Jupiter | 5.24 AU | 5.12 AU (766,418,462 km) | 11.9 years | 13.1 km/s |
| Saturn | 9.49 AU | 10.48 AU (1,567,044,306 km) | 29.5 years | 9.7 km/s |
| Uranus | 19.48 AU | 20.20 AU (3,021,422,992 km) | 84.0 years | 6.8 km/s |
| Neptune | 29.88 AU | 30.86 AU (4,616,147,360 km) | 164.8 years | 5.4 km/s |