Solar System

Crater Maker

What it does

This experiment shows you how craters are formed when meteorites fall.

What you need

• A whole newspaper
• 2 sheets of carbon paper
• 2 sheets of white paper
• A golf ball

What to do

1. Place the newspaper on the floor.
2. Place one sheet of white paper on top of the newspaper.
3. Place one sheet of carbon paper (carbon side down) on the white paper.
4. Place the second sheet of white paper on a hard floor.
5. Place the second sheet of carbon paper (carbon side down) on the white paper.
6. Drop the golf ball on the newspaper pile a few times.
7. Drop the golf ball on the second pile a few times.
8. Pick up the pieces of white paper and compare them.

What it's all about

When the ball hits the carbon paper, the carbon is pressed onto the white paper below it. When the ball hit the paper on the floor, it wasn't able to sink in, and only a small part of the ball's surface touched the paper. When the ball hit the paper on top of the newspaper, it was able to sink a little bit, making a crater. The marks on the paper in this pile are bigger because more of the ball's surface was able to hit.

Remember, be sure you have a parent, teacher, or other adult help you!

Jupiter's moon Europa has lots of craters. Scientists study the shape of these craters to try and guess what lies under the surface.
Read about it.