Space Guide
From constellations and planets to the types of stars, here's a collection of space stories to help you get even more out of Planetica.
What you can learn here
The systems you create in Planetica are full of real principles of the universe. The Space Guide explains the ideas behind them in plain language. You can read about the 13 zodiac constellations the Sun passes through each year, the Solar System's 8 planets still circling the Sun today, the many types of planets from ocean worlds to gas giants, the spectral types that sort stars by color and temperature, and the habitable zone, where water can stay liquid.
After reading, take another look at your system and you'll see it differently. You'll understand why your central star is the color it is, why some planets are frozen solid while others are covered in ocean, and why your system sits beside that particular constellation. Planetica's planets are all imaginary, but their numbers are designed to resemble the real universe.
How to use this guide
If you're new, start with the story of your birthday constellation. Next, check the spectral type of your system's central star, then compare what type each planet is and whether it's in the habitable zone. Finally, turn on Solar System view in the Milky Way map and tour the real 8 planets, so you can compare your imaginary system side by side with our own Solar System.
The 13 zodiac constellations
Planets of the Solar System
Planets & stars
- 9 Types of Planets
- Star Types and Colors: Spectral Classes O, B, A, F, G, K, M
- What Is the Habitable Zone (Goldilocks Zone)?
Create your own planetary system
Enter a name and a birthday to get a one-of-a-kind planetary system, placed next to a real star in your birthday constellation.