Guide on Crafting a Solar System Model

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Content

Creating the Sun and Gas Giants

Crafting the Terrestrial Planets

Constructing the Model

Materials You'll Need

Useful Tips

Our solar system consists of eight recognized planets orbiting around the sun, with Earth being one of them. Constructing a model serves as an entertaining way to learn about the solar system and is an ideal art project for elementary school science classes. While this example may take several hours to complete, much of that time involves waiting for paint or clay to dry.

Steps

Creating the Sun and Gas Giants

Locate a cardboard box. The planets in your solar system model will be suspended inside this box. You'll need enough space to accommodate nine planets and the sun, so ensure the box is large enough. It should be at least the size of a men's shoebox, approximately 15' x 10' x 5½' (36 x 25 x 13 cm).

Apply black paint to the box. Use black acrylic paint to cover the interior of the box and the short outer sides. Let the box dry on newspaper.

For a smoother background, trace the box onto black paper, cut out the rectangle, and tape it to the bottom of the box.

Collect five polystyrene balls. If possible, find them in three different sizes. They should all fit in the box with some space left over. You'll need:

One large ball for the sun (up to 4' / 10 cm across)
Two medium balls for Jupiter and Saturn (up to 3' / 7.5 cm)
Two small balls for Uranus and Neptune (up to 2' / 5 cm)

Select your paints. Opt for acrylic paint as it works well with polystyrene. Choose various colors for your planets, including orange, gold, yellow, red, white, and dark blue.

If unsure about a paint's suitability for polystyrene, check the label for brush cleaning instructions. Water-based paints can be washed off with water, while solvent-based paints may dissolve polystyrene.

Paint the sun. Insert a long skewer into the largest polystyrene ball to hold it steady. Coat the entire surface with gold, yellow, or orange paint to depict the sun. Place the skewer in a tall container or a polystyrene block and let the ball dry.

Use a stenciling brush or short-bristled brush to ensure the paint adheres well to the ball's surface. You may need to apply multiple coats for an even color.
If the paint doesn't adhere properly, apply a thin layer of spackle to the ball, let it dry, and then paint over it.

Paint the larger planets similarly. Jupiter and Saturn, the two medium balls, are the largest planets known as gas giants. They have a diameter approximately ten times that of Earth's and consist mainly of a dense layer of gas surrounding a rocky core. Skewer them and place them in separate containers to prevent the wet paint from smudging.

Jupiter features swirling bands of clouds and storms. Paint it with red, orange, and white to create patterns.
Saturn is depicted as pale yellow (a mixture of yellow and white paint).

Decorate the ice giants. Use the remaining two balls to represent Neptune and Uranus, known as the smaller gas giants or 'ice giants.' These planets, about four times the size of Earth, originated from ice and heavy elements. Over time, these substances transformed into a fluid core surrounded by swirling gas.

Paint Uranus a light blue shade, achieved by mixing blue and white paint. Occasionally, white clouds form across its solid blue atmosphere.
Neptune appears similar in color to Uranus but appears darker due to its greater distance from the Sun and reduced light. Paint it blue.

Attach Saturn's rings. Locate a drinking glass with an opening matching the size of the ball used for Saturn. Place the glass on gold or yellow construction paper and trace around it with a pencil. To create a ring shape, place a larger glass over your pencil circle and trace around it as well. Cut out the ring shape and glue it around Saturn, allowing it to dry.

Pierce the hole through Saturn at an angle so that the rings will be slanted when the planet is suspended. This will enhance the appearance and provide extra space to arrange the planets.
To cut out the ring, begin by cutting out the larger circle. Gently fold the circle in half without creasing it, then cut around the smaller circle.

Crafting the Terrestrial Planets

Form five terrestrial planets from clay. Utilize polymer clay, air-dry clay, or a homemade polymer clay substitute. Shape five small balls (up to 1' / 2.5 cm in diameter) using various clay colors:

Mercury represents a brownish-gray rock with no cloud cover. Alternatively, red or gold clay can be used for aesthetic purposes.
For Earth, use blue clay.
Venus is crafted from pale yellow clay.
Although Pluto is not classified as a planet due to its small size, it can still be included. Mold it from light brown clay, perhaps incorporating some charcoal for its mottled surface.

Create a hole through each clay ball. Employ a large needle to pierce the center of each terrestrial planet. Later, thread will be passed through these holes to suspend the planets within your box.

Allow the clay to air dry. Adhere to the drying instructions provided on the clay packaging. Air-dry clay will naturally harden, whereas other types of polymer clay require baking at a low temperature to set.

For light-colored clay, consider setting your oven approximately 10ºF (~5ºC) lower than the recommended temperature. Although this may extend the baking time, it reduces the risk of breakage.

Add land features to Earth. Once the clay representing Earth has hardened, use green acrylic paint to depict the continents.

Constructing the Model

Apply stars. Once the black paint inside the box has dried, utilize a white paint pen or small brush to create white dots on the interior of the box.

Thread the polystyrene balls. After the sun has dried completely, insert a skewer through each ball and then remove it. Attach a piece of clear beading thread to the end of the skewer, and thread it through the same hole. Repeat this process for each polystyrene ball.

Ensure that each strand of beading thread is long enough to suspend a planet from the 'ceiling' of the box when the box is placed on its side. A length of five to six inches (13–15 cm) should suffice.

Attach the thread with glue. Remove the skewer while holding the end of the thread. Secure the thread by knotting it two or three times, then affix the knot to the polystyrene ball using a small amount of hot glue from a glue gun.

Thread the clay planets. Once the clay planets have dried, pass the clear thread through the pre-made holes. Secure the thread in place using a hot glue gun, similar to how you attached the thread to the larger planets.

Position the planets within the model. Place the box horizontally and suspend the threads from the ceiling. Arrange the planets at varying heights (top/bottom) and depths (front/back) to ensure they all fit inside the box. Follow this sequence:

Sun
Planets
- Mercury
- Venus
- Earth
- Mars
- Jupiter
- Saturn
- Uranus
- Neptune
Dwarf Planets
- Ceres
- Pluto
- Eris
- Makemake
- Haumea

EXPERT TIP

Jessie Antonellis-John

Jessie Antonellis-John
Mathematics and Science Educator

Scale your solar system models based on size or distance from the Sun. When constructing a solar system model, consider scaling the planets either according to their size or their distance from the Sun. Choose a fundamental unit, such as the Earth-Sun distance or Mercury's diameter, and proportionally scale the other planets. This approach effectively demonstrates the immense scale of outer space!

Suspend the planets within the box. Once you've settled on a visually pleasing arrangement that fits inside the box, mark ten points on the box where the Sun and planets will be hung. Using a sharp knife, cut holes through the box at these marked points, and thread the planets' strings through each hole. Secure the threads with sturdy tape and trim off any excess.

Cover the box's top with black paper. Outline the box's side onto black paper and cut out the resulting rectangle. Affix this piece over the top of the box using glue to conceal the tape. Your solar system model is now ready for display!

Completed.

Materials You'll Need

Men's shoebox or larger cardboard box
Black construction paper
Gold construction paper
Acrylic paint in assorted colors
White paint pen (optional)
Clear beading wire
Hot glue gun
Bamboo skewers
Polymer clay
Large needle
Polystyrene balls in three sizes
Several tall jugs or one polystyrene block
Adhesive tape
Two drinking glasses, one slightly larger than the other

Useful Tips

This model does not aim to accurately represent the size disparities between planets. Achieving this in a shoebox is challenging, considering the immense scale of space. You can simplify by using the same material (polystyrene or clay) for all planets, even if they're not to scale.
Not only Saturn possesses rings; all gas giants (Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus) do. However, the orientation of Uranus's rings is vertical.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What materials are necessary for constructing a solar system model?

To create a solar system model, you'll need a cardboard box, acrylic paints in various colors, polystyrene balls of different sizes, clay, bamboo skewers, a hot glue gun, and clear beading wire. Additionally, you may require black construction paper, drinking glasses for Saturn's rings, and a large needle for threading.

How can I accurately paint the planets in my solar system model?

For accurate painting, use acrylic paints suitable for polystyrene. Jupiter should have swirling bands of red, orange, and white, while Saturn can be painted pale yellow. Uranus requires a light blue shade, and Neptune should be a darker blue. Ensure multiple coats are applied for even coverage.

Is it essential to maintain the correct distances between planets in the model?

No, maintaining accurate distances between planets isn't essential when constructing a model. You can simplify the representation by scaling the planets in size or by placing them closer together to fit within the box, allowing for a visually pleasing arrangement.

What steps should I follow to assemble the planets in the solar system model?

To assemble the planets, first thread the polystyrene and clay planets onto clear beading wire. Secure the threads inside the cardboard box at marked points to ensure the planets hang at varying heights. Finally, cover the top with black paper to conceal any tape used for securing.

How can I enhance the visual appeal of my solar system model?

You can enhance the model's appeal by adding stars inside the box using a white paint pen or small brush. Additionally, consider creating rings for Saturn using construction paper and placing the planets at varying heights and depths to create a dynamic display.

What are the best practices for ensuring the model planets stay in place?

To ensure the planets remain in place, use sturdy tape to secure the threads once they are threaded through holes in the box. Additionally, applying hot glue at the knots will provide extra stability, preventing any slipping or movement during display.