Have some spare time on your hands? Check out these activities that can be done at home

You don’t have to be a space agency engineer to combine space science and craftsmanship. These projects produce some amazing results with dedication, some elbow grease and a fair amount of free time. Labelled either ‘easy’ or ‘expert’, these projects will be sure to keep you busy, especially the ‘expert’ ones. Each project is excellent in combining a love for astronomy and space exploration with a hands-on approach. You can go from making your own model of the

famous Saturn V rocket, the rocket that launched the first humans to the Moon in 1969, to firing a powerful laser at the Moon to confirm how far away it is.

None of these projects can be done with items found just lying around the house, so you’ll need to make a checklist for your desired activity and gather materials. Everyone loves a challenge, and the harder projects are always the more rewarding. If you follow these guides, along with our recommended ‘for more information’ sites, you can create a masterpiece.

1 MAKE YOUR OWN TELESCOPE

EASY

The simplest option here, this DIY telescope is quicker and easier to make than the other projects. With a simple selection of materials and tools you can create your own sliding telescope, probably best suited as an educational tool. Although it can’t provide a decent enough focus to delve into the true sights of the night sky, it’s an excellent educational experience for a youngster or beginner. The general workings of a reflector telescope can be learnt, such as light focusing, and if this project takes your fancy then you could try a more advanced version.