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How to Build a Paper Model of the Solar System

The solar system consists of nine large astronomical bodies. The sun is at the center, with the eight planets bound to it by gravity. The planets orbit the sun in an elliptical shape, with each taking differing amounts of time to complete its orbit. The solar system is a major part of the educational curriculum. A physical model is a quick, easy and fun way of enabling children to comprehend its scale.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Cotton
  • Tape
  • Compass
  • Colored pencils or pens
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose the room in which the model of the solar system will be located. The room must be at least 10 feet long and have a ceiling that is tall enough to hang things from.

    • 2

      Mark with a pencil nine points on the ceiling. The first point, the location of the sun, could be at the corner of the room, where two walls meet. The sun will take up a distance of 20 inches. Mark an "x" in from the corner of the room. Mark an "x" at distances of 1.42 inches, 2.64 inches, 3.66 inches, 5.59 inches, 19.06 inches, 35.08 inches, 70.47 inches and 110.24 inches from the first mark.

    • 3

      Draw eight circles on the paper using a compass, with diameters of 0.15 inches (Mercury), 0.37 inches (Venus), 0.39 inches (Earth), 0.21 inches (Mars), 4.41 inches (Jupiter), 3.72 inches (Saturn), 1.58 inches (Uranus), 1.53 inches (Neptune), in that order.

    • 4

      Cut out the circular shapes you have drawn. Be sure to keep the shapes in order.

    • 5

      Write on the back of each of the planets: "Mercury'' on the first, "Venus" on the second, then "Earth," "Mars," "Jupiter," "Saturn," "Uranus" and "Neptune."

    • 6

      Attach a piece of cotton of the same size on each of the cut-out planets. Tape it to the back of each piece of paper, ensuring the planet name is not obscured.

    • 7

      Place the planets, in order, onto the locations marked on the wall. Tape the planets to the ceiling.

    • 8

      Draw a circle, using the compass, with a diameter of 20 inches for a visual indication for the location of the sun. Locate this in the corner of the room, using tape.

    • 9

      Color the planets using appropriate pens or pencils.

Sculpture

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