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Here’s a fun activity to help your little astronomers and astronauts observe how the Earth rotates on it’s on axis!

The Sun is a star. It is the closest star to our planet and it’s in the center of our solar system. The sun plays an important part in regulating the Earth’s temperature, gives off light during the day, illuminates the moon at night, and provides energy. Without our star, life would simply not exist. Although it might seem like the sun moves across the sky during the day, it is actually the Earth that is spinning. The Earth makes one full spinning rotation in 24 hours or 1 full day.

Humans have relied on the sun for centuries to tell time. Centuries ago, humans invented sun dials to tell time. They are still placed in gardens today, but mostly for ornamental purposes. Here’s a way to create your own sun dial:

Here’s what you need:

• One circle sheet (You can download the one below. I also laminated mine to be reusable.)
• One ounce container of Play-Doh™
• One straw

Here’s what you do:

1. Work the Play-Doh™ into a mound and place it in the inside circle.
2. Place a straw upright through the center of the Play-Doh™.
3. Place you sun dial outside in a location that is sunny most of the day.
4. Mark the shadow of the straw on your sun dial. Check every hour or so and see how the Earth moves!

Check out my YouTube Channel below to watch how to make your own sun dial!

-Kristen