By Joan Reinbold | Updated Mar 24, 2022
Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun, is a blue‑green gas giant discovered by William Herschel in 1781. Its striking hue comes from methane in its atmosphere, and its unique axial tilt of 98° gives it a distinct look among the Jovian planets. The planet takes roughly 84 Earth years to complete one orbit. Building a tactile model not only brings the planet to life but also deepens your understanding of its features.
Collect high‑resolution photos of Uranus. Study its atmospheric bands, rings, and axial tilt to ensure your model accurately reflects the real planet.
Lay newspaper on a flat work surface to protect your table.
Inflate a balloon to a 5‑inch diameter. In a bowl, mix three parts glue to one part water. Cut newspaper into strips, dip each strip into the glue mixture, and wrap the strips around the balloon. Continue until the balloon’s surface is fully coated. Let the papier‑mâché dry completely before removing the balloon.
Measure the diameter of the finished sphere. On cardstock, draw a circle slightly smaller than this measurement, then draw a second circle 2 inches larger. Cut both circles and set the inner circle aside.
Using colored pencils, trace the rings of Uranus onto both sides of the cardstock ring, referencing your images for accuracy. Slide the ring onto the sphere, ensuring it fits snugly without compressing the papier‑mâché. If the ring is too tight, trim a little from the inner edge and try again.
Hold the model so its axis matches Uranus’s 98° tilt. Use a curved upholstery needle to poke two holes about ½ inch apart on the top of the sphere. Thread a length of string through the holes, pulling the needle through from one side to the other, then tie the ends together to hold the tilt in place.
Paint the sphere and rings using colors that mirror Uranus’s appearance, referencing your photographs for guidance. Hang the model on a clean sheet of newspaper to allow the paint to dry fully.
