In this model (325 KB - about 2 min. at 33.6)
NASA images
have been used for 33 of the larger bodies in the Solar System.
(Occasionally some of the images may not appear. Try going "TO SCALE" and back or try reload or SHIFT-reload.)
Center on a planet and zoom in (by clicking near the center of the display) to see the moons. (Note - centering on a planet is disabled if you are zoomed in too far).
Some of the images are enhanced or in "false colour". The orientation and illumination of the images is wrong since they were taken from within the plane of the solar system. When not "TO SCALE" the sizes of the images are proportional to the logarithm of the diameter of the body. The small bodies (Phobos, Deimos, Hyperion, Proteus, Neriad) are shown much larger than actual size.
When "TO SCALE" most moons will appear as dots.
Activity: Set your computer to the highest resolution and your browser to full screen.
Center on Earth with "PLAY" and "TO SCALE" off. Then select "FREE" on the "CENTER" menu.
It is then possible to manipulate the display so that Earth and Moon are on opposite sides of the screen.
Then go "TO SCALE" to see the relative size and distance.
There are a couple of other cases where you can see a planet with its moon as a visible disk.
The model on this page uses a different applet than the other models ("Create" works differently). The source code is public licensed. The annoying black rectangles around the images could be eliminated if someone converted them to transparent GIFs (like the "Deimos" image).
Images: NASA, JPL, U. of Arizona (probably others should also be credited). Charon courtesy of Marc W. Buie/Lowell Observatory.