String-Art Comet 

        Although both comets and planets orbit the sun, they differ from each other
        in a number of ways.  Most planets orbit in a single plane, like pepperoni on
        a pizza while comets orbit in both directions and in many different planes.
        Both planets and comets shine by reflecting sunlight, but when comets are
        close to the sun, their gases are excited by ultraviolet radiation and give off
        light just like fluorescent light.

        Comets travel at various speeds - going faster as they near the sun and
        slowing down as they travel away from it.  Despite the myths associated with
        them, comets do not streak across the sky like meteorites.  Weeks and months
        may pass before a comet completes its swing around the sun.

        Some comets are frequent visitors to the solar system while others are
        once-in-a-lifetime events.  Encke's comet revolves in a circular orbit
        around the sun appears every 3.5 years.  Tuttle's comet visits the sun
        every 14 years, and Halley's comet, perhaps the most famous of the
        all, appears once every 76 years.
 
          Kevin and the finished String-Art Comet

    Making a String Comet
        Your students will be using needles and thread to make their comets.  In
        order to understand the problems your students may encounter, make your
        own string-art comet before assigning the activity to your students.  1. Copy
        the pattern.  2. Glue (Rubber cement works best.) this page to a file
        folder or tag board and glue black construction paper to the other side.
        With the printed side up, poke holes with a push pin wherever there is a dot
        or a circle.  You will be following odd numbers for this activity. Thread a
        needle with colored thread or floss and push it down through hole #1.   Pull
        the thread all the way through and tape the free end onto this side of the
        pattern.  Push the thread up through hole #3, down through hole #5,
        following the odd numbers until you get to the end.  Rethread the needle as
        needed, taping the free end of the thread to this side of the pattern. 3. Now
        you'll be connecting even numbers. Thread a needle with a different color
        thread and push it down through #2.  Pull the thread all the way through and
        tape the free end onto the side of the pattern.  Push the needle up though
        hole #4, through hole #6, etc. Rethread the needle when needed, taping the
        free end of the thread to the printed side of the pattern.

        Permission was granted to use this activity by: Evan-Moor Publications.
 

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