Astrojax facts for kids
Astrojax is a cool toy invented in 1986 by Larry Shaw. It has three balls connected by a string. One ball is fixed at each end of the string. The middle ball can slide freely along the string between the two end balls.
Inside each ball is a metal weight. This weight helps the middle ball spin super fast without the string getting tangled. Playing with Astrojax is a bit like a mix of juggling, a yo-yo, and a lasso. You can do many different tricks and moves with it! The main moves are vertical orbits, horizontal orbits, and a figure-eight pattern called the "butterfly."
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The Story of Astrojax
In late 2017, Larry Shaw, the inventor, brought Astrojax back! He launched a new version called the Astrojax Weave. These new balls are special because they are handmade. They are also stuffed with eco-friendly recycled cork.
The Weave balls are 4.5 centimeters wide. This makes them bigger than any Astrojax before! The Weave comes in different types:
- Maya versions: These have lighter balls and a shorter string.
- Spectra versions: These have medium-weight balls and a medium-length string.
- Pro versions: These have heavier balls and a longer string.
Astrojax Names
Many names related to Astrojax are special trademarks. These include Astrojax, Weave, Aqua, Maya, Spectra, vortex, string bud, Free-Dimensional Orbiter, Saturn, and Blue Diamond. These names belong to New Toy Classics.
Astrojax Awards
Astrojax has won many toy awards! It even went to outer space with NASA for their "Toys in Space" program. How cool is that?
You can also find Astrojax in the Guinness World Records database. There are three different Astrojax categories listed there.
Cool Astrojax Tricks
Here are some basic tricks you can try with your Astrojax:
Horizontal Orbit
- Hold one ball in your hand.
- Let the other two balls spin in a flat circle underneath your hand.
- The two spinning balls balance each other.
- Make small movements with the ball in your hand to keep them spinning.
- To start, hold the top and bottom balls. Spin the middle ball. Then, let go of the bottom ball.
Vertical Orbit
- This is like the horizontal orbit, but the balls spin up and down.
- The bottom and middle balls orbit straight up and down.
- Gently pull on the ball in your hand. This keeps the orbit going for as long as you want.
- This is a great starting move for many other tricks.
Butterfly
- Start with a vertical orbit.
- Move your top hand quickly left and right. Do this at the same time the bottom ball spins.
- This makes the balls move in a cool spiral shape. It looks like a helix.
Switch
- While doing a vertical orbit, let go of the top ball.
- Quickly catch the bottom ball.
- Now the orbit continues with the balls in new positions!
- You can do this trick over and over for a cool effect.
Venus
- Start with a vertical orbit.
- Pull the bottom ball hard.
- It will travel over your arm, followed by the middle ball.
- You can also repeat this trick for an awesome look.
Thriller (or "Eskimo Yo-Yo")
- Hold the middle ball in one hand.
- Start swinging one of the end balls around it.
- Then, throw the other end ball around and around.
- Watch them swing!
See Also
