Dev tools · September 21, 2025
The Atlas – I Built a 3D Universe Simulation with Python and Three.js
Hi HN! I’ve spent the summer of the past 2 years building The Atlas, a procedural universe simulator that generates 1 sextillion galaxies (10²¹) from a single mathematical seed. Think No Man’s Sky meets theoretical physics, but running entirely in your browser. Everything is purely deterministic, the universe is calculated from SHA-256 hashed seeds using the golden ratio as primordial constant. There’s no database, no pre-saved data, just pure math. Time itself is treated as a coordinate, so the universe exists as a 4D structure where any moment can be computed on demand. Shut it down for…
What it does
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi HN! I’ve spent the summer of the past 2 years building The Atlas, a procedural universe simulator that generates 1 sextillion galaxies (10²¹) from a single mathematical seed. Think No Man’s Sky meets theoretical physics, but running entirely in your browser. Everything is purely deterministic, the universe is calculated from SHA-256 hashed seeds using the golden ratio as primordial constant. There’s no database, no pre-saved data, just pure math. Time itself is treated as a coordinate, so the universe exists as a 4D structure where any moment can be computed on demand. Shut it down for weeks, restart, and planets have still been orbiting. Open the same world on multiple devices and you’ll see identical cloud formations, lava flows, even particle effects—always perfectly synchronized (if your clocks are synced). The simulation applies real physics, Kepler’s laws, tidal locking, Roche limits, hydrostatic relaxation for moons, and orbital temperature variations. Scale is mind-boggling, 300 tredecillion potential planets, far beyond anything that could ever be explored. The backend runs on Python/Flask with Hypercorn, the frontend on React + Three.js, connected via a custom MIT-licensed “vite-fusion” plugin we made. Everything is generated in real time, no storage needed. The Atlas includes 26+ planet types, fictional elements, moons evolving over geological timescales, and rare life forms that display Arecibo-style messages when analyzed. There’s resource mining and spaceship progression as gamification features. At its core, it’s a playable implementation of Einstein’s block universe theory, all moments exist simultaneously in the mathematical structure, you’re just moving through different temporal slices. You can try the live demo or run your own universe locally. When installed, you can choose between Core Continuum (a shared seed universe evolving since 1986, my birth year) or Design the Multiverse (your own unique cosmos with a fresh seed). I’d love feedback on the procedural generation algorithms and ideas for expanding the physics simulation! - GitHub: https://github.com/SurceBeats/Atlas - Docker: bansheetech/atlas:latest - Demo: https://the-atlas.koyeb.app - Alt Demo: https://surcebeats.node1.homedock.cloud:42424 Thanks for reading this far! <3
Does the same job
all alternatives →- PIParabola.io – Automate your work with visual programming2018 · parabola.io · ▲291
Hi HN! I’m Alex from Parabola (https://parabola.io). Parabola is a visual programming tool for creating functional data flows that everyone can use. It’s entirely drag-and-drop, handles data sizes much larger than a traditional spreadsheet, calculates everything live, and can run your flows on a schedule of your choosing. I used to work in strategy consulting, doing data analytics for SMBs and Fortune 500 companies. The amount of time wasted on menial tasks was astounding. Things like cleaning data, generating custom reports, creating human workflows to solve shortcomings in third…
- IBI built a procedural universe in Python to explore simulation theory2025 · github.com · ▲9
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