Space Crafts

Big Bang Bottle

Most scientists believe our Universe began violently with a large explosion called the Big Bang. Putting together a few materials will allow you to have your own Big Bang.

Materials Needed:

10 - 12 ounce plastic soda bottle with cap, clean and empty with label removed

Water

Glycerin (available at pharmacies)

Glitter

Sequins in star and planet shapes (optional)

Rubber cement

Steps to Take:

1. Put one teaspoon (about 5 ml) of glycerin in the bottle.

2. Add glitter and sequins.

3. Fill bottle to the top with water.

4. Glue on bottle cap using rubber cement.

The bottle at rest can represent the Universe prior to the Big Bang. Once you shake the bottle, you can visualize what this event must have been like. Initially, material swirled and expanded until temperatures cooled. Stars and galaxies began to form.

Space Window

Astronauts in orbit often report on what they see out of their vehicle windows. Hurricanes and large fires can look dramatic when seen from space. The Apollo 13 crew saw one of the most unusual and frightening sights in space. During their flight, the Service Module (SM) was severely damaged by an explosion. As the astronauts used the Lunar Module (LM) for their rescue craft, they saw the massive damage suffered by the Service Module.

It is easy to make your own space window using paper plates. Here’s how!

Materials Needed:

Two paper plates

Scissors

Crayons, colored pencils, or markers

Glue

Stickers (optional)

Steps to Take:

1. Color a space scene on the front of one of the plates. Add stickers, if desired.

2. Cut the center circle out of the second plate. This is your window.

3. Flip the cut-out plate onto the first plate and glue in place.

Constellation Imagination

Have you ever looked at clouds and tried to make the shapes into animals or objects? People have done the same thing with stars. Star patterns are called constellations. Astronomers today agree on 88 constellations. The constellation shape can be an animal, such as a lion (Leo), a scorpion (Scorpius), or twin people (Gemini). Sometimes an object is seen. Examples would be the Big Dipper and the Southern Cross. Twelve specific constellations are grouped together as the zodiac.

When you search for a constellation in the night sky, you must not expect to see the shape in detail. Often imagination is used to fill in missing parts. In the case of Orion, the hunter, only one star represents his sword. The rest requires imagination.

Plain paper

Pencil or pen

Star stickers

Steps to Take:

1. Close your eyes and make 5 to 7 dots on your paper.

2. Place star stickers on the dots.

3. Let your imagination loose and build your own constellation.

Space Mobile

This mobile really shimmers and shines. Make one to give your room some sparkle.

Materials Needed:

2 CD-Roms (Hint: Use the extra ones you get in the mail from on-line services)

String

Glue

Glitter

Construction paper

Markers or crayons

Steps To Take:

1. Cut four pieces of string 24" in ( 0.6 m) length.

2. Place one CD-Rom on flat table.

3. Arrange the strings on top of the CD-Rom. Two strings are centered across the disk(from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock). Two strings are centered up and down the center of the disk(from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock).

4. Glue second CD over the top of the first making sure the string ends extend out the sides. Let dry thoroughly.

5. Take one string end of each section of the disk and tie together. This is your hanger.

6. Make four outer space objects or crafts. Decorate with glitter and markers.

7. Attach your drawings to the four remaining strings. Allow to dry.

8. Hang your mobile and enjoy.

Picture Galaxy

Make a picture stabile that is out of this world!

8" styrofoam ball, cut in half

Chenille stems, 12" lengths, in various colors

Paint, optional

Cardboard

Favorite photographs that can be cut

1. Paint one-half of the styrofoam ball and allow to dry.

2. Cut cardboard to cover the flat side of the painted ball. Glue in place.

3. Cut chenille stems in assorted lengths in pairs. Twist the ends in a candy cane fashion but leave the top untwisted and in the shape of a "Y".

4. Insert the chenille stems twisted ends first into the styrofoam ball.

5. Cut photgraphs into smaller circles, squares, and rectangles.

6. Tape the top of the chenille stems to the back of the photographs.