Buzz
Creating a solar system mobile serves as an engaging project when delving into the wonders of our cosmic neighborhood. All you require to fashion your mobile are some basic materials and an array of artistic paints.
Instructions
Fabricating Planets
Gather the necessary materials for crafting the planets. It's advisable to have all your supplies organized before commencing this endeavor.
- You'll need styrofoam spheres in the following dimensions: 5, 4, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, and 1.25 inches. For the 1.5 and 1.25 inch spheres, you'll require two of each.
- Additionally, procure a .5-inch styrofoam sheet measuring 5 x 5 inches. This will be utilized for forming Saturn's rings.
- Acquire acrylic craft paints in the following hues: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue-green, dark blue, cobalt blue, light blue, white, and black. These paints will adorn your planets.
Insert a skewer into each styrofoam ball. This will facilitate painting. Ensure the skewer penetrates halfway through the ball, avoiding complete insertion.
- Arrange them in this sequence: 5 inch, 1.25 inch, 1.5 inch, 1.5 inch, 1.25 inch, 4 inch, 3 inch, 2.5 inch, and 2 inch.
Shape Saturn's rings. Trace circular outlines on the styrofoam sheet for this purpose. Smooth the ring edges using the rounded side of a teaspoon.
- Trace the 4 inch jar's diameter onto the center of the styrofoam sheet using a pencil or pen.
- Position the 3 inch jar within the traced 4 inch ring. Trace around the 3 inch jar's edge using a pencil or pen.
- Cut out the styrofoam ring along the traced lines using an x-acto knife.
- Always ensure an adult handles the x-acto or serrated knife, avoiding child usage.
Enhance the sun and initial planets. Apply craft paint to the styrofoam balls for detailing. Hold each planet by its skewer handle to minimize mess.
- Prepare your paints in plastic cups and fill one halfway with water for brush rinsing.
- Coat the 5 inch ball with bright yellow paint for the sun.
- For Mercury (1.25 inches), paint it orange.
- Venus (1.5 inches) should be painted blue-green.
- Earth (1.5 inches) should be dark blue with added green continents.
- Paint Mars (1.25 inches) red.
Apply paint to the gas giants and dowel rod. These include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Jupiter (4 inch) should be painted orange with red and white stripes, with the addition of the Great Red Spot using red paint.
- Paint Saturn (3 inch) yellow and its styrofoam ring orange.
- Uranus (2 inch) should be painted cobalt blue.
- Neptune (2.5 inch) should be light blue.
- Black paint should be applied to the dowel rod.
Allow the planets and dowel to dry. Complete drying is necessary before hanging them on the mobile.
- Position the pointed skewer ends of the planets in a large jar and let them dry without contact.
- Tidy up your workspace while they dry.
- Dispose of paint cups, water, and scraps from Saturn's ring cutting.
Assemble Saturn. Saturn presents a greater challenge compared to other planets due to its intricate rings.
- Apply craft glue along the inner rim of the orange-painted ring.
- Gently insert the yellow-painted 3-inch styrofoam ball into the ring, being cautious not to damage the styrofoam ring.
- Allow it to dry while you work on the remainder of the mobile.
Constructing the Solar System Mobile
Trim the strings for planet suspension. These strings must be cut at varying lengths to ensure the planets hang at different heights.
- Cut the string for the sun the shortest, approximately 4 inches.
- Increase the length of each subsequent string by 2 inches. For instance, if the sun's string is cut at 4 inches, cut Mercury's at 6 inches.
- Continue this pattern, with Neptune's string being the longest, resulting in it hanging the lowest among all planets.
Fasten the strings to each planet. This step is necessary for hanging the planets from the dowel rod.
- Remove the skewer from each planet.
- Tie a knot at the end of each string.
- Secure the knotted end of each string into the skewer hole on the planet using glue.
- Ensure the shortest string is attached to the sun, followed by the next longest to Mercury, and so forth, with Neptune having the longest string.
- Allow the glue to dry.
Secure the planets' strings to the dowel rod in sequential order. Begin with the sun positioned first at the left end of the dowel.
- Maintain an adequate distance between planets to prevent them from touching as they hang.
- Secure the string or yarn onto the dowel using a small dab of glue.
- Leave it to dry.
Hang the mobile. Use additional black yarn or string for hanging.
- Attach a long piece of string to each end of the dowel rod, securing them with glue.
- Suspend the dowel using the strings, adjusting the lengths as desired.
- Ensure the dowel is level, then tightly tie together the two strings attached to its ends.
- Use the remaining string ends to secure the mobile to a ceiling hook.
Researching and Procuring Materials
Acquire items for suspending the planets. These supplies are available at craft stores alongside your other materials.
- Procure a 30-inch wooden dowel with a 1/4-inch diameter for hanging the planets using string.
- Purchase black yarn or string to suspend the planets from the dowel.
- Obtain thick white craft glue for securing the planets to the strings.
- If you lack a ceiling hook for suspending your mobile, acquire one.
Collect the necessary tools for assembling the materials. Ensure these tools are readily available during construction.
- Have scissors and a serrated or x-acto knife on hand. Scissors are for cutting string, while the x-acto knife is for cutting Saturn's rings.
- Caution: Ensure an adult handles the x-acto knife; it's not suitable for children.
- Use a jar or cup with a 3-inch and a 4-inch diameter for tracing Saturn's rings onto the styrofoam sheet.
- Utilize a teaspoon to smooth the styrofoam surface.
Procure additional supplies. These aids facilitate the painting process for the planets.
- Obtain at least 8 wooden skewers, suitable for kebabs.
- Use these skewers as handles for mess-free painting of the planets.
- Find a couple of plastic cups for water and paint.
- Acquire a stiff paintbrush specifically for painting the planets.
Explore the planets. For school projects, it's essential to have a good understanding of the planets beyond just creating a mobile.
- Familiarize yourself with the names and sequence of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
- Some models may include Pluto, but it's now considered a Dwarf Planet by scientists.
- Ensure you have basic information about the sun, the central star of our solar system.
Pointers
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Exercise caution when using scissors and the x-acto knife.
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You can use watercolor paints to enhance the planets.
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To prevent a messy workspace, consider painting or coloring your planets over newspaper.
The advice shared here stems from the practical wisdom of Mytour readers like you. If you have valuable tips to contribute, please share them with us on Mytour.
- Opt for styrofoam balls for crafting planets as they're lightweight. However, avoid excessive glue application to prevent stickiness and improper bonding.
- Consider hanging the sun separately from the planets using string and stitching instead of connecting it directly to the dowel rod. This ensures the sun remains centered above the orbiting planets.
- Handle painted styrofoam planets with care around heat sources. Using a hairdryer can lead to paint bubbling and cracking. Air drying is preferable.
- Refer to images of real planets when painting to accurately replicate colors and designs, enhancing the mobile's realism.
- Prior to assembly, lay out all necessary materials to streamline the process and minimize frustration.
