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The Eclipse is Almost Here: DIY & Printables
- Gabrielle Fischer Posted On Aug 18, 2017 | Printables
DIY: Eclipse Viewer and Printables!
In case you’ve been living on another planet and have missed the big news, North America is gearing up for one of the Earth’s most awe-inspiring events: a total solar eclipse! Taking place on Monday, August 21, the eclipse will be visible throughout a large stretch of the United States. A total eclipse is when the moon completely covers the sun, giving us Earthlings a few minutes of darkness during the day.This map, courtesy of NASA, shows the path of totality through the U.S.:
It’s “Totality” Awesome!
Learning can be found everywhere and what a great time to share some fun eclipse facts with your little watchers. Hey, you might even learn something new, too!Eclipse Facts:
- •This will be the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in 38 years.
- •A solar eclipse is a lineup of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth.
- •Everyone in the continental U.S. will see at least a part of the eclipse.
- •Oregon is the first state where the eclipse will make contact
- •It will only last 2 minutes and 40 seconds
- •More people will watch this eclipse than any other eclipse…ever!
- •The next eclipse won’t be until 2024
How to Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer!
It cannot be stressed enough that staring at the sun is not safe, during the eclipse or any other time. Here’s a few ways to view the eclipse so you and your little scientists can enjoy this once in a lifetime phenomenon.How to Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer!
Here is what you will need:- A long, cardboard tube (an old wrapping paper tube, perhaps)
- White paper
- Tinfoil
- One rubber band
- Tape
- A pushpin or safety pin
- Decorations or markers, if you choose
First, cut your viewing hole. Cut it no more than an inch wide and about 1-2 inches tall.
This hole is where you will view the eclipse, so your white paper will cap the bottom. Cut a circle a little larger than the circumference of the bottom of the tube and attach with tape. Make it flat like a canvas.
Next, cut a square of your tinfoil and fit it over the tube’s other end. Fasten it with the rubber band.
With your pin, poke a very small hole through the top of the tinfoil.
Practice with your viewer outside before the eclipse. Head outside to find your child’s shadow. Position your child with their back to the sun.
Point the tin foil end toward the sun. Look through your cutout window to find the eclipse on August 21st!
Check NASA.gov or your local news to find out the peak time when you will be able to see the eclipse in your area. Happy viewing!
Note: It is recommended to use AAS approved eye protection when viewing a solar eclipseHere are some other fun ways to view the eclipse:https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/activitieshttps://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/projection
Solar Eclipse Printables
Don't forget your solar eclipse printable activities that are out of this world!
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Playtime is out of this world! With so much in the news lately about NASA’s latest missions, not to mention the first ever image of a black hole recently released, space talk is certainly on the rise. How about making some play dough sure to spark otherworldly conversations about our galaxy?
But first, some questions and answers!
What is the Milky Way?
Our home galaxy is called the Milky Way, and it contains hundreds of billions of stars that burn just like our own sun. That means there are most likely billions of solar systems out there just like ours. The Milky is believed to be 13.51 billion years old.
Just how big is the Milky Way?
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You will need:
2 cups of flour, plus extra to sprinkle on
½ cup of salt
1 ½ cups boiling water
2 tablespoons of baby oil
1 tablespoons of cream of tartar
5-7 drops of glycerin
Glitter colors of your choice
Adults only: get the water boiling on the stovetop.
Have the kids mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
Once your water is boiling, turn it off and remove it from the heat. Add the black food coloring. To get the deep, galaxy-black color, be prepared to use lots of food coloring, about half and ounce. The kids will love to see the food coloring billow into the hot water.
Next, pour in the glycerin and baby oil. These two ingredients will prevent your dough from being too sticky.
Adults only: pour the water mixture directly in to the bowl of the flour mixture and stir. Be aware of splashes since the water mixture is hot.
Add glitter of your choice, and once again give it a good stir.
Next, knead the dough for several minutes, really working it through. Dry hands work best. You might find that the dough is a little sticky. Throw the dough back in the bowl and sprinkle a little flour over the top and re-knead.
This Milky Way dough is a blast to pull a part, twist, and pound out. And look who wanted in on the fun–the Astrolyte Beaker Creatures!
Hope you have some intergalactic fun!
Check out other Beaker Creatures fun below!
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Sources: kids.nationgeographic.com, popsci.com
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