AstroCrafts: Constellation Jar

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Apr 03

2013

by Thilina Heenatigala

by Kathleen Horner

Published: Wednesday, April 03 2013 06:49

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Turn out the lights and turn on the Stars!

The Orion constellation glows brightly in this cobalt blue vase at dusk.

Welcome to the first Astronomers Without Borders' AstroCrafts project of the month! I look forward to sharing with you many creative and educational astronomy-related arts and crafts projects for all ages on a monthly basis throughout the year.  Let's get started!

When the Sun goes down, step outside, look up and become inspired for our April AstroCraft project, the Constellation Jar. Get together with friends or family and make it one big creative night sky adventure. If you are unfamiliar with the constellations, it's best to get acquainted with finding them in the night sky in your region.   It will make this project more rewarding and fun to familiarize yourself with the placement of the constellations in your sky and become inspired!  The best way is to have handy a star chart and a flashlight with clear red cellophane wrapped over the light to keep your eyes adjusted to the dark and for good seeing. You can find red cellophane in any arts and crafts store or gift wrapping departments in most other stores.  Other ideas for a red covering for your flashlight is by using an opaque red cloth or fingernail polish.

Now to learn a little bit about the constellations in your night sky. There's a free online Star Chart at www.skymaps.com.  You can download a monthly star chart for either the southern or northern hemisphere and print it out on their website.  Instructions on how to use it are included on the website.  Sky and Telescope magazine has an interactive sky chart online and easy directions to create your own Star Wheel (see links below). You'll be surprised how thrilling it is to study a few constellations on a chart and then go out and find them yourself right under the night sky. After awhile you will learn how to star hop and connect the constellations to each other.

The neatest thing of all is that after you've created your constellation jar, you'll be able to bring the stars right into your own home!  Once inside your home, turn off the lights and watch the star jars send out multiple lights upon the surrounding walls and interior.  Also, you can make multiple constellation jars to place around a deck, patio, balcony, walkway, in a flower garden or hang them off tree branches or near a window.  Check this link on how to make an easy hanger for the jars.

If you have a scanner on your printer, you can enlarge a section of the sky map of the constellations you want to use and then print them out.  Then you can use the printed pattern to press the holes forming your constellations right into the tin foil. If you don't have a printer, make it fun and challenging by drawing your own constellations pattern. There are many star and constellation charts online to help you design your patterns.

CAUTION: The heavy tin foil from the bake pans may cut fingers so young children should be supervised.
You could try experimenting with heavy duty aluminum foil wrap as an alternative to the heavy tin foil when working with children on this project. I wore a pair of lightweight garden gloves to shape the foil to fit inside the vase.

If you don't have an awl, use an ice pick or any sharp instrument that will poke holes cleanly. Alternate between larger holes and smaller holes to allow the constellations to stand out.  I used a safety pin to make the little starlight holes and Orion's 'sword'.  Take your pick of a hat pin, sewing needle, safety pin, etc.  I found it easier to punch the holes through the foil by laying it onto a cut out square of corrugated cardboard.

Although the directions call for using jars, you can also use any other clear containers like glass vases or contemporary hurricane glasses. Use your imagination. I used a tall cobalt blue glass vase.  Just make sure you can fit the click light into the opening of the container. For open containers without lids, you can fashion one out of the tin foil.  Just poke holes on the foil lid to create a star formation or a little constellation and it will form a cool effects light pattern on the ceiling.

Below are the step by step directions on how to make your Constellation Jar and loads of resources on the constellations and star charts to make your AstroCraft project fun and educational at the same time.
      
DIRECTIONS FOR THE CONSTELLATION JAR:

Click on the link below to drop in on "DesignMom", Gabrielle Blair's blog page where she shares the directions for creating the Constellation Jar.  Let the magic begin!

http://www.designmom.com/2012/05/diy-constellation-jar/

RESOURCE LINKS:

Sky and Telescope's "How to Make a Star Wheel". Create a custom naked-eye map of the whole sky for any place on Earth, at any time of day or night, on any date from 1600 to 2400 (Free prints included online):

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/letsgo/familyfun/Make_a_Star_Wheel.html

Hands on fun with Sky and Telescope's online Interactive Sky Chart:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/skychart

Star and Constellations Chart Printables for both northern and southern hemispheres:  

http://www.skymaps.com
        

Keep up-to-date on the changing night sky one week at a time:

http://www.skyandtelescope.com  (on the menu click on "Sky At a Glance")
http://www.earthsky.org

Website with multiple links on everything you need to know about the constellations:

http://cms.westport.k12.ct.us/cmslmc/Grade7/science/consellations.htm
       

Popular Books on the Constellations and Night Sky Observations. Children and Adults both:

"How to See the Stars" by H.A. Rey
"NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe" by Terence Dickinson
"Sky and Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas" by Roger W. Sinnot
"A Child's Introduction to the Night Sky: The Story of the Stars, Planets, and Constellations--and How You Can Find Them in the Sky" by Michael Driscoll and Meredith Hamliton

Now sit back and listen to a "A Little Night Music" by Mozart and remember to turn off the lights and turn on the stars!   See you next month with a new AstroCrafts project.

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