Things You'll Need
Measuring tape
Pencil
Scissors
6-by-6-inch shipping box cardboard base
1-by-10-inch shipping box cardboard ring
Black spray paint
White spray paint
6-by-6-inch Styrofoam ball
2-by-2-inch Styrofoam balls (2)
1-by-1-inch Styrofoam balls (25)
Purple spray paint
Yellow spray paint
Permanent epoxy
3-mm-wide wire (29)
Making a model version of Uranus and its moons is a creative way to express your passion for outer space. Be prepared to add a plethora of moons to your craft model of Uranus. As of October 2008, according to Universe Today, Uranus has over two dozen moons -- 27 in total. As scientists review new information obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope, that number could increase. For now, crafting your planet out of Styrofoam balls is a wise way to add or subtract any number of moons in years to come.
Step 1
Measure and cut the cardboard base and ring. The base is a 6-inch square, while the ring should be 10 inches in diameter, with a 1-inch rim. The center of the ring should be cut out.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Paint the base and ring. Working outdoors, coat both sides of the base with black spray paint, and coat both sides of the ring with white spray paint. Allow two hours for the pieces to dry.
Step 3
Draw 12 pencil lines around the body of the ring to symbolize the 13 separate rings around Uranus.
Step 4
Paint the Styrofoam balls to form the planets. Working in a well-ventilated areas, such as outdoors, coat the large ball with purple spray paint -- this will represent Uranus. Paint all of the smaller balls with yellow paint. The smaller balls represent the moons. Allow two hours for the planet and moons to dry.
Step 5
Stick two wires two inches into the bottom of planet, Uranus. Bend the bottom 1/4-inch of each wire inward to create an "L" shape. Center Uranus onto the cardboard base. Bond the bottom of each "L" to the base with permanent epoxy. The wires help create the illusion that the planet is floating in orbit.
Step 6
Cut two 4 1/2-inch-long pieces of wire. Press one end of the first wire into the inner edge of the ring. Press one end of the second wire into the opposite inner edge of the ring. Fit the ring over the planet. Adjust the ring to a 30-degree angle around the planet. Stick the other ends of the two wires into the sides of the planet.
Step 7
Cut 27 8-inch-long pieces of wire. Press one end of the wire into one side of a moon. Stick the other end of the two wires into the side of the planet. Repeat for the 26 other moons. The 2-by-2-inch Styrofoam balls act as Puck and Portia, the two brightest moons around Uranus. Evenly space the moons around the planet.
Video of the Day