Right now the Sun is at “solar maximum” which means it is super active and has lots of sunspots and solar flares. 

On Earth, we experience it by seeing more active northern lights.

Try out the activities below to learn more about how the Sun and Earth interact!

Make an Earth Shield       Make Aurora Art

A shield made of cardboard and paper with space-inspired shapes on it. It was made by a child.

Story and Craft Activity

Earth's Shield

Ages 5 and up, with help from a grown up

What You'll Need: 

  • Picture frame matting or cardboard
  • Packing tape or contact paper
  • Scissors
  • Paper
  • Crayons or other marking material
  • Aluminum foil

Video: Original Story and Craft Instructions

Step 1: If you are using cardboard, cut a rectangle shape in the center of the cardboard to create a frame. 

Tip: Cardboard is hard to cut because it is thicker than regular paper! Have your grown-up help you with this step. 

Step 2: Cover the rectangle opening with contact paper or packing tape. If you use packing tape, use several pieces to fully cover the opening. 

Step 3: Now it's time to make decorations! Think about things that help you feel strong, powerful and happy. Is it a favorite color that you like to wear? Is it an animal or symbol like a star? Draw or color your decoration on a piece of paper and then cut them out. 

Step 4: Add these pieces to the sticky surface, with the decorated side on the sticky part. 

Step 5: Cover the other side with aluminum foil. 

Step 6: Now it’s time to play! Pretend you’re the Earth and the Sun is getting too active for you. Put your shield up and block that energy! 

Skylab Orbital Workshop in Orbit

Air and Space Connection

  • Skylab was America’s first space station.
  • Scientists on Skylab studied the Sun—in addition to other things.
  • Skylab had special telescopes to look at the Sun from space. Scientists could see things they couldn’t see from Earth. 
About Skylab
More Skylab Inspired Activities
A piece of child's art where the northern lights are created out of chalk and paper.

Activity

Aurora Art

Ages 6 and up, with help from a grown up

What You'll Need: 

  • Red, green, pink, and blue colored chalk
  • Black construction paper
  • White paper
  • Scissors
  • Paper towels

Step 1: Cut out a wavy shape from the white paper to use as a guide, then line it up with the black construction paper.                                                          

Step 2: Using a color of your choosing, trace over the wavy edge of the white paper with chalk. It’s okay if a little ends up on the construction paper too.

Step 3: Continue holding the wavy edge down on the black paper. Using the paper towels, push the colors upwards so they smudge onto the black paper. You can always repeat steps 2 and 3 to create as much color as you wish.

Step 4: Lift up the wavy edge and place it at a different spot on the paper. Repeat steps 2 and 3 as many times as you desire. Try flipping the guide to create interesting effects too.

Step 5: Display your art piece where everyone can see it! 

A green and pink display of Northern Lights swirls in the sky, illuminating a snow covered field and pine trees below.

Air and Space Connection

  • What causes the Northern Lights? Particles from the sun.
  • The Sun is always sending out energy particles called the solar wind.
  • When solar wind reaches Earth, it interacts with Earth’s invisible magnetic shield and our atmosphere.
  • This interaction causes the beautiful glowing colors in the sky knowns as auroras. The Northern Lights is one example.  
Two small model plans made out of paper and paper towel or toilet paper rolls, decorated with markers.
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Soar Together at Air and Space is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman.