We’re creating a stunning night sky paper roll display. Also, look at my post Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages for more fun ideas,
It can be a different scene every time you make it.
But not only are we going to make a beautiful piece of art, we are going to embark on a journey through the night sky,
We’re uncovering some of the most fascinating objects that can be seen with the naked eye or a simple pair of binoculars.
I have lots of great information to share with you as well as.
Too, I have a few resources.
Add them to your night sky study and make it a fascinating launch into all things space (from our view here on earth).
As you step outside on a clear night, the first thing you’ll notice is the multitude of stars twinkling above you.
Some stars, like our own Sun, shine with a steady golden light.
Others may appear red, blue, or even green due to their different temperatures and compositions.
If you look out past the stars, you will encounter the planets.
Some of the planets in our solar system that you can sometimes view with the naked eye include Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
And occasionally you can view Uranus if you have sharp eyes.
Books About the Moon For Kids
First, look at some of these fun books about the moon.
Add them to you home library and read aloud to your kids as they do this fun craft.
12 Resources and Books For Studying About the Moon and Galileo
If you want to focus on the moon in your astronomy and space unit study, add one of these fun resources to your day.
Like Michelangelo, Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name--a name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit!
This newly revised edition, available in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, incorporates new, up-to-date information based on recent discoveries, and includes an updated map of the moon's surface. Thoroughly vetted by an astrophysics expert, The Moon Book is a perfect introduction to lunar phases, orbit, the history of space exploration, and more.
Sixteenth century Italy produced a genius who marked the world with his studies and hypotheses about mathematical, physical and astronomical truths. His father, musician Vincenzio Galilei said, “Truth is not found behind a man’s reputation. Truth appears only when the answers to questions are searched out by a free mind. This is not the easy path in life but it is the most rewarding.” Galileo challenged divine law and the physics of Aristotle, and questioned everything in search of truths. And it was through this quest for truth that he was able to establish a structure for modern science.
It’s the perfect light nonfiction book for young stargazers—and an ideal bedtime book, ending with a giant moon hovering over a sleepy town hunkered down for bed.
Novelty Moon Lighting: Realistic Colorful Star Galaxy printed 🌌 Moon Lamp with advanced 3D technology. Now decorate your bedroom, hall, office or desk with our Space Theme gorgeous Galaxy Lamp. Your guests will definitely admire the beauty of this lively moon light.
Quality Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
Everything about Jupiter is big! Its size is big. Even its storms are big! Get the big and small facts about this gas giant that can be seen glowing in the night sky.
Astronomer, physicist, and philosopher Galileo Galilei was referred to as "The Father of Modern Science," because of his groundbreaking research. Making observations about nature, and using mathematics to back them up, he proved the Copernican Theory true: the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the universe. Join Galileo on his pioneering journey to see why his work had such long-lasting implications, and why the Catholic Church even condemned him for heresy.
Imagine that you're walking on the moon. What is it like? For thousands of years people looked up at the moon and wondered about it. Now we know what the moon is like. There is no air on the moon and nothing grows, but there are towering mountains and deep craters—and much more.
Colder than the desert, the hotter than the desert, the moon is an amazing place to explore.
What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together!
The story begins when a little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut. Until … he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocket ship with a fiery tail.
A Kite for Moon:
- Features over 20 gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan
- Is the perfect storybook for children ages 4 to 8
- Celebrates every child’s fascination with space
You could also grab these meteorite specimens (artificial) to let your child use for impact craters!
Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock―she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.
Exploring the Night Sky
Each planet has its own distinct characteristics.
For example, the rings of Saturn, the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, or the methane haze surrounding Neptune, make them fun and easy to recreate.
In the sky we see vast collections of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity.
Our own Milky Way galaxy is a spiral galaxy, with a bright center surrounded by spiral arms that stretch across the sky.
Other galaxies, such as the Andromeda Galaxy, are visible to the naked eye on dark nights.
Nebulae, ethereal clouds of gas and dust, are another captivating sight in the night sky.
Some nebulae, like the Orion Nebula, are so bright and colorful that they can be seen with the naked eye.
Other nebulae, such as the Horsehead Nebula, require a telescope to reveal their intricate shapes and glowing tendrils.
In addition to these amazing sights, we can view meteor showers, which are caused by debris from comets or asteroids entering Earth’s atmosphere.
They can produce streaks of light across the sky.
Eclipses, which occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun (solar eclipse) or the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun (lunar eclipse).
Exploring the night sky is not only a fun and educational activity but also a profound experience.
It reminds us of our place in the vastness of the universe and inspires us to dream and wonder about the mysteries that lie beyond our reach.
So, next time you find yourself under a clear night sky, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the cosmos that surrounds us.
To bring that beauty a little closer we are going to create a project to model the night sky with any and all of these sights that you want to include.
Imagine you are standing in your backyard or better yet a big field with no streetlights to dim your view.
What would you see if you looked up? What would you like to be able to see? We are going to create that view on paper.
Night Sky Paper Roll Resources
These resources will come in handy before, after, and during your craft project.
- 10 Moon Craft Ideas and Wrapped Crescent Moon Craft For Kids
- Starry Night Sky Game
- Watch this beautiful Night Sky Time Lapse that was recorded in Mount Rainier National Park for inspiration.
- Free Moon Journal For Homeschool Science
- 5 Facts About The Moon Landing and Make Fun Astronaut Ice Cream
- Exploring The Night Sky
- Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
- How To Make Puffy Paint Planets And Free Notebooking Pages
- Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment
- Grab a Telescope for your budding astronomer to take a closer look at more of the stunning display in the sky.
Finally, look at how to make a fun night sky paper roll.
Night Sky Paper Roll Display
The wonderful thing about this project is that it is adaptable for kids of all ages and abilities from the scribbling 2-year-old to the artistic 16-year-old.
You will need:
- Black paper roll
- Craft paint
- Paint pens
- Paintbrushes
- Old toothbrush
- Various sized lids
For this craft you want to cover your work surface well.
A disposable tablecloth from Dollar Tree works great for protection of your table and for easy clean up.
Once your work surface is protected, roll out a piece of black paper however long you would like it to be.
A good 2’ gives you plenty of space for your night sky.
Gather supplies-paint, a variety of paintbrushes, and several sizes of lids or a circle stamp.
Start by painting a big round moon where you would like it to be on your paper.
Night Sky Paper Craft
Use your fingers, brushes, or sponges to lay the paint on thick and create texture so it appears to have craters.
Next, we are going to use paintbrushes, or a toothbrush works wonderfully to create stars all over our night sky.
Load either one up with paint and then tap against your hand to create a splatter.
Continue moving to cover the page with various sized splatters.
When you are satisfied with your stars it’s time to create whatever planets you would like.
To do this and give variations to the colors put paint in 2-3 shades on your plastic or a paper plate and stamp a lid into it
Transfer to the paper and stamp firmly onto it.
You can also paint directly onto the lid like I did here with ‘Mercury’ and then stamp it on the paper.
To make some planets appear closer use larger lids and for those farther away use smaller ones.
Create star clusters or the milky way by splattering paint closer together or using loose bristled brushes.
By this point your light spatters will probably be mostly dry but the thicker planets may still be wet.
Once everything is dry you can go back in with paint markers or a small, tipped paintbrush.
Add more defined shapes and details like Saturn’s rings.
Hang it up and admire your handiwork night or day.
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