Abstract: Celestial motion is one of the basic contents of mechanics and theoretical mechanics. With the help of Mathematica software and based on relevant formulas and laws of classical mechanics, in this paper the motions of planets, periodic comets, and binary star systems are accurately and dynamically simulated. The vivid animations obtained in this study are very helpful for learners to establish clear physical images, increase their intuitive knowledge of planets, periodic comets, and binary star systems, and enhance their deep understanding of celestial motion laws. New physics teaching resources by visualizing the theoretical knowledge from textbooks by Mathematica programming is developed in this study. The tremendous potential of Mathematica software to develop physics teaching resources is also demonstrated.

Key words:  celestial motion, binary star system, dynamic simulation, development of physics teaching resources, Mathematica