A Go-based terminal solar system explorer to navigate planets and switch between star systems in real-time.
A Go-based terminal solar system explorer to navigate planets and switch between star systems in real-time.
Explore the Solar System, Alpha Centauri, TRAPPIST-1 and more from your terminal. Real astronomical data, animated orbits, and multi-star systems. A Go/tcell TUI.
It stands out for its execution of real-time terminal space flight simulation and orbital mechanics visual rendering. Using ASCII/Unicode, it animates orbital movements and belts, while providing detailed, interactive planet cards and system-switching capabilities that feel both nostalgic and incredibly polished.
go-solar-system is a terminal-native solar system and exoplanet visualizer built in Go. It renders star systems in real-time, allowing users to orbit planets, view planetary details, list moons, and jump between different celestial configurations like TRAPPIST-1, Alpha Centauri, and Kepler-452. Utilizing tcell, it offers clean terminal navigation via arrow keys and keyboard hotkeys.
Created to satisfy the developer's curiosity for orbital simulations and terminal graphics, the project has since served as the visual engine and inspiration for other terminal space programs, proving that command-line interfaces can handle complex real-time animations beautifully.
Clone the repository, download Go dependencies, and build. Run the executable to immediately view the Solar System. Use the arrow keys to pan, enter a number from 1 to 9 to focus on a planet, press Enter to view its moons and data, or press S to cycle to another system.
Written in Go using the tcell terminal library, the project uses custom ASCII/Unicode rendering to draw stars, asteroid belts, and orbital paths. Color palettes are curated to represent temperature and light sources, keeping text highly readable even with multi-layered celestial displays.
Planned updates include adding more real-world exoplanet systems, improving moon orbital calculations, and developing an interactive helper menu.
By Alvin
Discussions