I'm glad I ignored the negative reviews; they almost prevented me from purchasing this set. This set is great. Yes, they are plastic. Yes, the paint job is simple. Yes, hanging system amounts to thumb tacks and fishing line. But fifteen dollars doesn't get you far in life these days, and for the price its great. Looks like Space Mountain in my kid's room. Lets address the complaints. These glow fantastic. The complaints about poor glowing amount to user error and requires having basic knowledge of lighting and a little common sense. If you simply have a standard light on in the room for an infinite amount of time, the planets will likely not glow very good. Why? Answer: Because the light is not DIRECTED at the planets. A standard bulb spreads out the light in all directions, thus limiting the potential light the planets could absorb. The same goes for natural daylight, not to mention that you are hanging the planets from the CEILING. It's like putting a solar landscape light under a large oak tree and asking what gives. And I'm not really sure why you would use a black or UV light?? Do what I do, get a 1000 lumen work light and shine on planets for 20 minutes, you will be more than satisfied with the results. As for the hanging system, for someone who has difficulties tying their own shoes, this was a non-issue. Fairly easy to work with, does take a little time and patience.
Took about 45 minutes of actual hanging time to do four planets, if I tried harder could have shaved some time. I can't imagine the hanging system being much better with customizable heights.
And the claim that the planet color schemes are not identified in the instructions is completely false. It is on the very first page, under the pictures of all the planets. It even says "The colors indicated below will help you find the corresponding glow in the dark planet". But really, even if the color schemes weren't listed, it takes about 30 seconds to figure out which is which with a little deductive reasoning, no "research" required. Earth is green and blue, Saturn has rings, Jupiter is the biggest without rings, Mars is the red one, Pluto is the smallest, Mercury the second smallest, Venus is the smallest of planets left, Uranus is solid color without variation, and Neptune is last. What's hard about that? Ugh.
And all the fuss about the sun seems ridiculous. Why would the sun be in a glow in the dark set? Do you see the sun at night? Where is the moon? Where are all of the moons? Using the ceiling light as the sun makes sense, for those of whom it makes any difference to.
Now, if you want a durable toy, which this should not be considered, or a strong educational tool, then this set might not be for you. But if you want an awesome room accessory and a happy kid, this will work.
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From the manufacturer
About Great Explorations:
Our vision is to create innovators of the 21st century by inspiring people through exploration of science, nature and the solar system. In July 1995, University Games purchased a San Francisco-based manufacturer of glow-in-the-dark room decor and science-related products. Whether it’s the fun of exploring or the fun of learning, Great Explorations is all about FUN!
Great Explorations 3-D Solar System
Great Explorations helps bring the wonder and magic of the cosmic ocean into your own room with this glowing 3-D Solar System. You can hang the glowing planets from your ceiling and attach the glowing adhesive stars, comets, and asteroids on your walls. This kit includes a comprehensive Planetary Guide, providing fascinating facts about the solar system.
- Great Explorations has been the glow-in-the-dark leader for over twenty years
- We help children discover the wonders of planets, stars, and outer space
- Our Lifetime Glow Guarantee that ensures our products will continue to glow
- Our products encourage kids to imagine and create as they explore the world around them
Great Explorations is all about fun and the joy of learning!
The 3-D Solar System from Great Explorations helps kids experience the wonders of the universe in any room. Watch the universe come to life by simply hanging the glowing 3-D Solar System from the ceiling and turning out the lights! This wonderful set includes over 200 glow-in-the-dark planets and stars and fascinating facts to teach kids about the solar system. Explore concepts like relative size of the planets, their distances to the sun, and what it would be like to visit each planet.
Includes: Nine glow-in-the-dark planets, over 200 adhesive stars and solar system guide.
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Customer Review: Fun fun fun
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Customer Review: Glad it has Pluto
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Customer reviews
Not thrilled. From the looks of the pictures on the listing as well as on the box itself, I was expecting the colors to be brighter and for these to be a much better quality. The set I received are really dull, pastel colors with weird ‘paint jobs’, and they basically look/feel just like the plastic Easter eggs that snap together (see pics). 👎I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because it at least came with everything you need to hang them, including star shaped tacks. It also said it also came with “230 Glowing adhesive stars, comets, and asteroids” (which for some reason I was thinking they would be the little plastic ones that you stick to your walls/ceiling) so FYI, it’s a bunch of really tiny glow in the dark stickers (see pic). I was going to return it but unfortunately I really needed this in order to complete my son’s surprise bedroom makeover for his birthday, and the package had already been delayed for several days.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2020
Style: SingleVerified Purchase
I’m so glad I purchased this!
By Jamaddy on May 27, 2020
Great product especially for the price. I have a 21 month old daughter that loves the planets. They are plastic and the bigger planets you have to put the halves together just like those Easter egg plastic things. It came with tacks that are clear and shaped like a star, fishing lines to hang it with, putty for optional added support for the tacks and the ceiling and a bunch of glow in the dark stickers! It didn’t come with the sun so I placed the planets surrounding one of our can lights (the ceiling lights that are flushed on the ceiling). Overall I’m so happy I purchased these. Downside is, they get very bright and now it takes my daughter longer to fall asleep because of this lol
By Jamaddy on May 27, 2020
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021
Style: SingleVerified Purchase
Don't listen to the negative reviews, this is a really cool solar system!
By S St.Clair on January 3, 2021
I didn't listen to the negative reviews and decided to get this set. I bought it for myself, I am 25 years old, but I do love space and science, I also enjoy things that glow in the dark! It was very easy to assemble and the adhesive for the star stickers is wonderful considering we have popcorn ceiling in our house, the stickers seem to be sticking on very well. If you're wondering how I got my solar system to glow so well, I'll tell you since it's a big complaint I see in the reviews. I bought a 10 dollar flashlight on here that has a UV (or blacklight) setting, let me tell you a UV flashlight is what you need if you have a lot of glow in the dark stuff (I have some glow in the dark Funko Pops I use it on). Just shine the UV flashlight on the planets and stickers for about 30 seconds (or of you want a longer glow then 1-2 minutes would probably be good) and those suckers will glow bright for awhile, as seen in my pictures provided with this review. And if anyone's planets don't glow that well or at all then the company actually have a guarantee and will actually replace the set if you contact them, it says so right on the back of the box so I don't see why people are complaining. In the end I love this set and I don't regret my purchase at all!
By S St.Clair on January 3, 2021
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2019
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because it at least came with everything you need to hang them, including star shaped tacks. It also said it also came with “230 Glowing adhesive stars, comets, and asteroids” (which for some reason I was thinking they would be the little plastic ones that you stick to your walls/ceiling) so FYI, it’s a bunch of really tiny glow in the dark stickers (see pic). I was going to return it but unfortunately I really needed this in order to complete my son’s surprise bedroom makeover for his birthday, and the package had already been delayed for several days.
Style: SingleVerified Purchase
Not really worth $20 in my opinion
By Dragonlaydee on April 4, 2019
Not thrilled. From the looks of the pictures on the listing as well as on the box itself, I was expecting the colors to be brighter and for these to be a much better quality. The set I received are really dull, pastel colors with weird ‘paint jobs’, and they basically look/feel just like the plastic Easter eggs that snap together (see pics). 👎By Dragonlaydee on April 4, 2019
I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 because it at least came with everything you need to hang them, including star shaped tacks. It also said it also came with “230 Glowing adhesive stars, comets, and asteroids” (which for some reason I was thinking they would be the little plastic ones that you stick to your walls/ceiling) so FYI, it’s a bunch of really tiny glow in the dark stickers (see pic). I was going to return it but unfortunately I really needed this in order to complete my son’s surprise bedroom makeover for his birthday, and the package had already been delayed for several days.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2021
Style: SingleVerified Purchase
Love These!
By T.R. on October 8, 2021
We redid our son's room in a space theme and these were a perfect addition! Our oldest son says these are his favorite part of the entire room! They came packaged very nicely (perfect for a gift!) and were easy to assemble and hang up. They look adorable and my son (who is a huge space nut) really liked some of the details that they had. They are perfect for any space or science loving kid! The price was great for these as well. We are very happy with these and I would absolutely recommend them to others!
By T.R. on October 8, 2021
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Top reviews from other countries
Tammy
fantastic learning tool, but missing sun and doesnt glow like it says
Reviewed in Canada on August 3, 2019Style: SingleVerified Purchase
Mariana
Están padres y cumple con lo que venden
Reviewed in Mexico on July 5, 2020Style: SingleVerified Purchase
Paulette T.
Perfect for a themed bedroom
Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2017Style: SingleVerified Purchase
Perfect for a themed bedroom
Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2017
Just purchased for my sons solar system themed room. They arrived quickly. All in all they are pretty cute. The largest planet Jupiter is about the size of a grapefruit with all others descending in size. They included pluto, which is the smallest, about the size of a golf ball. I was pleasantly surprised they included the string and tacks/putty for handing. The tacks are star shaped.Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2017
The colours and painting are not very detailed. Neptune has awful detail. Jupiter does include the red spot. They look nice though once they are on the ceiling. As for glowing, they do glow but not very bright. The picture I have posted d is with our ceiling light on all evening.
The sun is not included. Only the planets.
All in all I would recommend for hanging on the ceiling.
Images in this review
Amazon Customer
Look great!
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2022Style: SingleVerified Purchase
Look great!
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2022
Bought this set for my sons space room and they’re great! Not the most accurate in appearance but pretty darn good! Especially for the price. They look SO cool when they glow in the dark!
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2022
Images in this review
