YOU TRY IT! Model Galaxy

WHAT YOU NEED

1. A large bowl
2. Water
3. Food coloring or milk

WHAT TO DO

1. Fill the bowl with water.
2. Using your finger, swirl the water around in a circle until it dips down a little in the center.
3. Let the water spin on its own for five seconds, then carefully pour just one or two drops of food coloring or milk in the center.
4. Watch the shape the food coloring or milk takes.
5. You have just made a model of the Milky Way!

The food coloring or milk should take on a spiral shape, with long arms wrapped around the center of the bowl. That is the shape of our Milky Way Galaxy. The sun and billions of other stars all swarm around a central bulge. Galaxies come in many different shapes, but the spirals, like ours, are the most beautiful. Don’t you agree?