https://github.com/burnycoder/solar-system
Interactive solar system simulation demonstrating gravitational interactions between celestial bodies in a 2D space using Python and Pygame
https://github.com/burnycoder/solar-system
Last synced: over 1 year ago
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Interactive solar system simulation demonstrating gravitational interactions between celestial bodies in a 2D space using Python and Pygame
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/burnycoder/solar-system
- Owner: BurnyCoder
- Created: 2025-03-09T06:40:47.000Z (over 1 year ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-03-09T14:29:46.000Z (over 1 year ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-03-22T14:18:36.042Z (over 1 year ago)
- Language: Python
- Homepage:
- Size: 134 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
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Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
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README
# Orbiting Planets Simulation
This project simulates planets orbiting in a solar system using Python and Pygame. It demonstrates gravitational interactions between celestial bodies in a 2D space with an interactive interface.
## Features
- Gravitational forces between celestial bodies
- Realistic collision detection between all types of celestial bodies
- Customizable masses, positions, and velocities
- Interactive mode to add planets with a click
- Asteroid creation with elliptical orbits
- "Alien Physics" mode with 7 different creative physics simulations
- Event message log system for feedback
- Semi-transparent UI elements
- Smooth animation with Pygame
## Requirements
- Python 3.6+
- Pygame module (install with `pip install pygame`)
## How to Run
1. Make sure you have Python installed on your system
2. Install Pygame if you haven't already:
```bash
pip install pygame
```
3. Run the simulation:
```bash
python solar_system.py
```
## Controls
- **Click anywhere**: Add a new planet at that position
- **ESC key**: Quit the simulation
- **O key**: Toggle orbit display
- **T key**: Toggle orbit trails
- **C key**: Toggle circular orbit enforcement
- **P key**: Toggle alien physics mode
- **A key**: Add asteroid with elliptical orbit
- **+/- keys**: Change simulation speed
- **S key**: Reset simulation speed to normal
- **Close window**: Exit the program
## Advanced Features
### Collision System
The simulation includes a sophisticated collision detection system that handles:
- Sun-Planet collisions (sun destroys planets)
- Sun-Asteroid collisions (sun destroys asteroids)
- Planet-Asteroid collisions (planets absorb asteroids)
### Alien Physics
When enabled, the simulation cycles through 7 different physics modes every 10 seconds:
- Magnetic Ballet
- Orbital Waltz
- Vibration Samba
- Quantum Tango
- Choreographed Orbits
- Spiral Dance
- Rhythmic Pulsation
Each mode creates unique and visually interesting orbital patterns that defy conventional physics.
### Message Log System
A message log in the bottom left corner provides real-time feedback on events in the simulation, including:
- New celestial body creation
- Collisions and destructions
- Physics mode changes
- Setting toggles
### Visual Design
- Semi-transparent text for a cleaner interface
- Color-coded status indicators
- Planet trails and orbit visualization options
- Dynamic planet and asteroid naming
## Customization
You can modify the parameters in the script to create your own solar systems:
- Change the mass of the sun (`Sun` class instantiation)
- Modify how planets are created (the `add_random_planet` function)
- Adjust the initial number of planets
- Change the speed parameter for more stable or chaotic orbits
- Customize the alien physics modes in the `calculate_gravity` method
## How It Works
The simulation consists of four main classes:
1. **Body**: Base class for all celestial bodies with physics properties
2. **Sun**: Central gravitational body that other objects orbit around
3. **Planet**: Regular orbital bodies that can have different colors and sizes
4. **Asteroid**: Smaller bodies with elliptical orbits and special rendering
5. **SolarSystem**: Manages all bodies and their interactions
The simulation primarily implements Newton's law of universal gravitation (`force = GRAVITY_STRENGTH * first.mass * second.mass / (distance * distance + DISTANCE_DAMPING)`), Newton's second law (`acceleration = force / mass`), orbital velocity inspired by Kepler's laws (`orbital_speed = math.sqrt(sun.mass / distance) * orbital_speed_factor`), basic kinematics for position and velocity updates, distance calculation using the Euclidean formula, and orbital correction formulas to maintain stable planetary orbits.