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How to Make a Planetarium Out of a Light

Having the ability to display star constellations at home is a fun way to learn about the larger universe when live in. In urban areas where a lot of manmade light makes it difficult to see common constellations, a home planetarium is an enjoyable way to ̶0;see̶1; the various stars and planets regardless of the weather outside. You can create your own planetarium at home using simple household items, a few art supplies and a darkened room with the ceiling as the dome to display the stars on.

Things You'll Need

Tabletop lamp
Cardboard sheet 2 x 3 feet
Several cardboard sheets 12 to 16 inches square
Printed star maps
Tape
Pen, awl or ice pick

Instructions

- 1
  
  Different stars and planets appear as the seasons change.
  
  Print a copy of a star map for the constellations you wish to display from one of the available astronomy websites such as Skymaps.
- 2
  
  Carefully make holes where the stars appear on the chart.
  
  Tape a star map to a square sheet of cardboard. Use a pen, awl or ice pick to punch holes in the cardboard where the stars are located.
- 3
  Remove the lampshade from a stable tabletop lamp.
- 4
  Measure the height from the tabletop to 2 or 3 inches above the lamp bulb. This will be the needed height of the cardboard cylinder that you will make next.
- 5
  Wrap the rectangular sheet of cardboard into a cylinder tall enough and large enough to safely go around the tabletop lamp. Tape the ends together.
- 6
  Lower the cardboard cylinder around the lamp and turn the lamp on.
- 7
  Place the cardboard sheet with the punched star map on top of the cylinder and position it to show the various stars and planets.

Astronomy