Star Gazer

[45 Minutes]

For untold thousands of years, people have traced the outlines of familiar things among the stars. These patterns in the night sky are called constellations, from the Latin words meaning together and stars. Learn to recognize a few common constellations with this homemade star gazer.

You'll need:

• a coffee can • a can opener • black paint • cardboard • a plastic lid • masking tape • a flashlight • scissors • sandpaper • push pin (tack)or pen • book about constellations (optional)

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through with your child before you begin.
2. With your child, gather everything you'll need and always remember science safety.
3. To make a "star gazer," remove both ends of a coffee can with a can opener. Save the plastic lid.
4. If the edges of the can are still sharp, you may wish to cover them with masking tape.
5. Invite your child to paint the inside of the can black.
6. Let her cover one end of the can with cardboard.
7. Together, look at a book about constellations and choose a constellation to duplicate.
8. Challenge her to use the push pin or pen to poke holes in the cardboard making a pattern resembling that constellation.
9. Suggest that she rub sandpaper over the holes to smooth them.
10. At the other end of the container, use the scissors to cut a hole in the plastic lid large enough for the top of a flashlight to fit through.
11. Put the plastic lid back on the can.
12. Put the flashlight top through the can lid and into the can, facing the cardboard cover.

How to use:

1. Darken the room completely.
2. Turn on the flashlight and aim it at the ceiling. Watch the constellations above!
3. On a clear night, go outside to search for the same constellation in the night sky.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Do you like looking at the stars outside? Why?
• Can you find any constellations? Show me.
• What constellations would like to make for our star gazer?