Constellation Projector

Here’s an activity linked to THE FIRE OF STARS (Chronicle Books) perfect for the budding astronomer in your life. This constellation projector is simple to make with common household items. And the results are stellar, which you’ll see at the end!

What you’ll need

You will need:

• a flashlight (or your phone flashlight)
• a toilet paper tube
• tape (washi tape looks really nice if you have it)
• glue and a popsicle stick for spreading it if you want
• scissors
• sharp pencil
• constellation printable, which you’ll find here at Homeschool 123 Homeschool 4 Me
• Optional: construction paper or scrapbook paper to cover your toilet paper tube OR markers to color it.

Directions

• Print out or copy the constellation printables on your printer, reducing them to 30 to 50% of the full size. You want the constellation to fit within the circle of the toilet paper tube.
• Using the sharp point of the pencil, punch holes where the stars are on the constellation. Be very careful so you don’t poke yourself!
• Cut a large circle around the constellation and and make little snips around the circumference so the edges fold more easily over the toilet paper tube.
• Put glue on the edges where you’ve snipped, and glue the constellation over the toilet paper tube.
• Cover the paper edges with washi tape or plain old scotch tape if you don’t have it.
• You can decorate your toilet paper tube with markers or construction paper, and write the name of the constellation on the side.
• When you are finished, go into a dark room or closet and put your flashlight inside the toilet paper tube to enjoy your constellation.

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For a video of a similar project, see this one from Natskies.