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How to Make a Styrofoam Moon

The moon is a subject for beginning astronomy studies because it has many interesting features. It appears every month, and it can be observed without a telescope. It reflects light directly onto the Earth and helps create ocean tides. Because of atmospheric effects, the moon seems to change colors at different times, appearing as orange or red. It also looks black when an eclipse occurs. To make a Styrofoam moon, obtain a Styrofoam ball that is approximately 3 inches in diameter. Paint it to make it appear realistic. When finished, the Styrofoam moon can be used in a model of the solar system, and in science projects.

Things You'll Need

Styrofoam ball
Moon picture
Scissors
String
Pencil or pen
Paper clip
Clay
Light gray paint
Dark gray paint
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Study the picture of the moon, and use it as a rough guide for coloring the Styrofoam ball. If you require additional pictures, download them from NASA̵7;s website.
- 2
  Create some craters on the Styrofoam. Do this by poking the ball with the non-pointed end of a pen or pencil.
- 3
  Paint some areas of the moon, including some of the craters, a dark gray. Paint the rest of it light gray.
- 4
  Make a suspension system for the model. Straighten out the end of the paper clip, and push it into the ball. Wrap a piece of string around the loop at the other end of the paper clip, and tie it into a knot so that it won̵7;t fall off.
- 5
  Create a holder for the Styrofoam moon, instead. Make a base from a lump of clay. Push the sharp end of a pencil into one part of the moon, and push the pencil̵7;s other end into the clay base.

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