Planetariums are very common models in school work to explain to children in a more visual and dynamic way how the Solar system. In addition to that they also work for some science project in high school, which can be elaborated in a more complicated way.
Regardless of the use that is going to be given to it, it is important to know how to make a planetarium since at some point in a child’s school life, it will have to be done. That is why in this article I will be explaining different and original ways to make a planetarium from the comfort of your home.
How to make a planetarium?
There are many ways to build a planetarium. This time I leave you another idea that you can do in the comfort of your home without any trouble. This can be used for larger children’s projects.
The materials to use;
- 9 polyethylene balls of different sizes.
- White glue
- Acrylic paints: yellow, red, orange, green, light and dark blue, white, black
- Brushes
- a cardboard base
- silver glitter
- strips of wire
- wooden skewers
Step 1.- Start by painting the spheres with the colors of the planets
Take each of polyethylene balls and insert the wooden skewers and start painting. Find images of the planets and get creative with the colors. After you finish, let them dry and proceed to prepare the base.
Step 2.- Paint the base of the planetarium and it will represent the space of the universe
The base of the planetarium represents space, so it must be totally black and full of stars. For it take the black paint and paint it completely (if possible go over two layers of paint) and once it is dry, make small messy white dots all over the base and add the silver glitter before it dries to make it look more realistic.
Step 3.- Make the rings of Jupiter and place each planet in its place
With the strips of wire you will make the rings that surround jupiter. Mold them and surround the ball that represents this planet. When they are all dry, remove the skewers and glue the planets and the sun in order all over the base. That’s it, you now have your own homemade planetarium.
How to Make a Planetarium for Children?
Do a planetarium for kids is quite an easy task. It is not important that it is very elaborate, the ideal is that the child can create it on her own (with a little help) so that she learns and has fun in the process. This time I will be explaining the procedure to make a planetarium for children in a very easy and entertaining way.
The materials to use;
- 9 polyethylene balls of different sizes
- wooden skewers
- 9 nails
- black wool
- Brushes
- Acrylic paints: red, orange, blue, green, brown, white, black, yellow
- Gold or silver glitter
- A large shoe box
Step 1.- Paint the spheres that will represent each planet
Take the polyethylene balls and introduce the wooden skewers on each one to make it easier for you to paint them. Then take the acrylic paints and start painting each ball according to the planet they represent.
Step 2.- Paint the shoebox simulating the universe
Search the shoebox and paint it all black, both the outside and the inside. Once ready, make them small white dots and then put some of the silver or gold glitter before they dry up like the stars.
Step 3.- Place a nail in each sphere and tie wool on it to hang
once they are dry the balls, introduce the nail on each planet and moor the wool at the end of the head. Later place the painted box horizontally in such a way that the inside is facing you, since the planets are going to hang there.
Step 4.- Open holes in the box that represents the universe and hang the planets
Poke small holes in the top of the box and introduce the wool of each planet in order so that they are hung and the effect of depth of space is seen. Remember that the order of the planets is as follows: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune.
Step 5.- Identify the planetarium
Enter the child’s name and grade in a corner to identify your mockup and voila. You already have a perfect planetarium to get a high grade.
How to Make a Rotating Planetarium?
If the planets revolve around the sun, why can’t you make a representation of this movement in a model? If you like the idea, here I will give you the necessary tools to carry it out and you manage to make a rotating planetarium.
The materials to use;
- 1 transparent pastry plate
- 9 polyethylene balls of different sizes
- Acrylic paints: brown, red, orange, green, blue, black, yellow and white
- hot silicone
- Wood or cardboard base
- black spiner
Step 1.- Paint the planets in polyethylene spheres
Take the polyethylene balls and start to paint them according to the color of each planet and the sun. let them dry
Step 2.- Paint the universe on the base of the planetarium
Taking the base of wood or cardboard Y paint it black. After it dries, draw the stars with white paint. Do this same procedure with the pastry plate.
Step 3.- Place a base on the spiner to rotate the planets
Job the spiner in the center of the cardboard base. Then take the pastry plate and stick it onto the Spiner so it can spin.
Step 4.- Place the planets on the base of the spiner to rotate and it will be finished
Take the planets and the sun already dry and stick them in order on the plate so they can rotate. That’s it, you already have one amazing model of a rotating planetarium. Rest assured that it will be the best in your class or project.
How to Make a Planetarium with Light?
A very creative and original idea is to make a planetarium with light. This will allow the mockup to look much more realistic and unique. For this it is very important that a adult this supervising the task since you will need to work with circuits and electricitywhich can be dangerous.
Step 1.- Follow the instructions in the previous sections
You can follow the pattern of “how to make a planetarium at home” but instead of taking a cardboard base, take a wooden base to make it a lot more resistant and can hold the light bulbs that you will put.
Step 2.- Use the lights for the sun and the stars
I recommend that the only parts that carry light are the sun and starsremember that they are the only ones capable of producing lightNot the planets. then search a big light bulb that represents the sun and some white christmas lights that represent the stars.
Step 3.- Open the holes in the base of the planetarium and install the lights
For the latter you can open small holes along the base to place them from below or you can place them in an orderly manner throughout the base. The adult must make the necessary connections to verify that all the bulbs work and that’s it. You already have your planetarium with light.
Go ahead and make some of these planetarium model ideas a reality. All they are quite original and easy to do. You will love them.