Celestial Web Development

Solar System Scale Map Plugin

Add an interactive, true-scale solar system map to your WordPress website.

The Solar System Scale Map Plugin lets visitors explore the solar system at scale
using a familiar Google Maps-style interface. Users can set a model Sun size, choose a location,
and see how planetary distances translate into real-world distances for education, outreach, and
interactive science content.

What the Plugin Does

This plugin creates an interactive scale model of the solar system that visitors can explore
directly on your website. It helps users better understand the enormous distances between the Sun,
planets, and other major solar system regions by placing them in a real-world map context.

Key Features

  • Interactive solar system scale map
  • Google Maps-style navigation experience
  • Custom model Sun size input
  • Selectable map location and coordinates
  • Metric and SAE / US unit support
  • Optional walk-the-solar-system mode
  • Asteroid belt and Kuiper belt display options
  • Shareable link generation
  • Responsive layout for desktop and mobile

Who It Is For

  • astronomy and space science websites
  • educators and science communicators
  • museums, observatories, and outreach groups
  • WordPress site owners who want an interactive educational feature
  • schools and STEM programs

Example Use Cases

  • show how far apart the planets really are
  • support astronomy outreach and public events
  • embed an interactive science feature in a lesson or article
  • create a scale-walk solar system activity for students or visitors
  • enhance space-related blog posts and educational pages

How It Works

Visitors can enter a model Sun size, select a location, and view scaled planetary distances
mapped into the real world. The plugin calculates the resulting scale and displays distances
from the Sun to the planets, along with optional solar system regions such as the asteroid belt
and Kuiper belt.

Installation

  1. Download the plugin ZIP
  2. Upload it in WordPress under Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
  3. Activate the plugin
  4. Go to the plugin settings page if applicable
  5. Add the plugin to a page, post, or supported area using the provided shortcode or block

Live Example

Below is a live example of the Solar System Scale Map Plugin in action.

Solar System Scale Map

Set a model Sun size, choose a location, and map the scale solar system onto the real world.
Scale
1 : 2,282,480,315
Model Sun Diameter
60.96 cm
Earth Distance
65.54 m
Neptune Distance
1.97 km
Developed by John Martin, Celestial Web Development — https://www.celestialwebdevelopment.com/

Select a location

Search for a place, click the map, drag the marker, or use your current location. The coordinates update automatically.

Scaled distances

Body Distance from Sun Diameter / Width
Mercury 25.37 m 2.14 mm
Venus 47.40 m 5.30 mm
Earth 65.54 m 5.59 mm
Mars 99.85 m 2.98 mm
Jupiter 341.12 m 6.26 cm
Saturn 628.04 m 5.28 cm
Uranus 1.26 km 2.24 cm
Neptune 1.97 km 2.17 cm
Asteroid Belt 144.19 m to 209.74 m Width: 65.54 m
Sun size uses separate value and unit fields. Supported Sun units are in, cm, and mm. Result displays can be switched between metric and SAE / US.

Solar system map

The Sun is placed at the selected coordinates. Planet markers are shown to the east for quick reference.

What Visitors Can Explore

  • Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune at scale
  • Asteroid belt distance and width
  • Kuiper belt display options
  • Real-world walking or viewing distances
  • Planet marker placement from the chosen location

Screenshots

Interactive Scale Map

Add your screenshot or interface image here from the WordPress Media Library.

Solar System Scale Map Plugin Screenshot

Support

Need help with setup, customization, troubleshooting, or feature requests?

  • report bugs or display issues
  • request new features or enhancements
  • ask for customization or branding help
  • get assistance integrating the plugin into your website

When submitting an issue or request, please include:

  • your WordPress version
  • your PHP version
  • the plugin version
  • your theme name
  • a description of the issue
  • screenshots if available
  • steps to reproduce the issue

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this plugin show?

It displays a scaled model of the solar system on a map, translating planetary distances into
real-world distances based on the selected Sun size and location.

Is this useful for education and outreach?

Yes. This plugin is especially useful for astronomy outreach, STEM education, classroom activities,
and public science communication.

Can I use this on a mobile device?

The plugin is designed to be responsive, making it useful on both desktop and mobile devices.

Can this plugin be customized?

Yes. Celestial Web Development can help with custom styling, integrations, and feature development.

About Celestial Web Development

Celestial Web Development builds WordPress websites, plugins, hosting solutions, and custom web tools
for businesses, organizations, educators, and specialty projects.

Contact

Celestial Web Development
Email: john@celestialwebdevelopment.com
Phone: (507) 251-6519