Reference for a base idea

Robbie
What materials are you using for the base? I have a half dozen tiny scale AMT kits mostly the different flavors of the Enterprise. I have poked around craft stores looking for something not too big or small that I can make bases. I have looked at different kinds of styrofoam and plastic balls, cutting them in half to make a base but nothing really has hit the spot. So when I see posts like this, I pounce with questions.

JD
Hi Robbie, the mind wanders doesn't it? This base came out of the Enterprise Space Seed edition. Have you considered making a cast of a base you already have?
Anyway, I'm going for a planetary effect here, still in the experimental stages. I posted this as a reference for my mate Gary on his amazing build. He's already on top of it: qaStaH nuq jay’ | Album by Knucklehead Labs (1:350)
I like the idea of using a lighted base painted with transparent paint to simulate a planet below. A dome style light fixture from the home store seems ideal. Turns your finished model into a lamp!