I'm writing this guide to test the Guide feature within Steam. This whole process could be explained rather quickly, but in the interest of trying out features to see how the guide will be presented, I've taken the liberty to break it up into sections.

Some of the topics in this guide are

• About this Guide (this section!)
  
• Warning - Do not t ry this with the planet Earth
  
• The Plan: Send Mars on a collision course with the Sun
  
• Start Up the Solar System
  
• Set Parameters for Mars and the Sun

Before we begin, it's imperative that you do not try this with the planet Earth. That would asure our destruction, and since I'm currently living on Earth, I really wouldn't take to kindly to that. Furthermore, if you attempt to perform this feat with other planets or moons within our solar system, or even our galaxy, it can lead to disastrous consequences for all present. Tread carefully.

OK. On a more serious note, this warning is actually to let you know that this guide may actually be helpful in understanding one of the achievements for Universe Sandbox. In particular, crashing earth into the sun, or getting the earth temperature really hot or cold. If you want to discover how to do these on your own, don't read any further.

Now that we've gotten the notion of running the Earth into the sun out of the way, let's continue with our plans to take care of those Martians. By reading any further, you agree that you will hold me harmless against all spoilers you may receive or be witness to by proceeding.

I assume that you've read the warning in the previous section.

You did read the warning didn't you?

If you didn't read the warning, stop right now and go back.

Our goal is going to be to crash Mars into the Sun, so that we can absolve ourselves with those pesky Martians.

Upon opening Universe Sandbox, click on the menu controls in the upper right corner that looks like an ellipsis ... This will display the Universe Sandbox menu.

Next, click on the first option titled Our Solar System as identified in the picture to the right.

At this moment, the simulation for the Solar System will load, and the planets will be orbitting the sun as we'd expect.

OK, here are the steps to crash Mars into the Sun

• With the simulation running, pause it by clicking the pause icon || in the upper left corner of the window.
  
• Locate Mars. If you know where it is, great. If you don't use the search feature at the top center of the window. Once you've spotted it, click it to select it. It's properties will appear in the lower right corner of the window.

• Next, click the Total Vel field and set the velocity to 0. Since the simulation is paused, you won't see a difference yet. With the speed set to 0, it will have an even greater attraction to other masses in the solar system, most notably, the Sun.
  
• Now, set the time of each frame to 2 minutes.
  
• Unpause the simulator
  
• Watch the Mars slowly move towards the sun, gradually gathering speed until impact.

Did that not work? Did Mars somehow veer around the Sun and fly off into Space? Let's try altering the sun.

• On its own, Mars will probably run into the Sun, despite pertibations of the suns own movements and other nearby planets. But let's guarantee it.
  
• Locate the Sun following the same steps as above. Click on it to display its properties.
  
• Click on the Mass field, and set its Mass equal to 1000 suns. Alternatively, set it's mass to a Black Hole which has the pull of alot more Suns!
  
• Unpause the simulator and watch all the planets go flying into the Sun.

And there you have it. No more worrying about Marvin and his Death Ray Gun.