What is a custom star map?

A custom star map is an accurate chart of the night sky as it appeared from a specific place at a specific date and time. You choose the moment, such as the night you met, your wedding, or the night a child was born, and we calculate which stars were above the horizon from that exact spot on Earth. Star positions come from the European Space Agency's Hipparcos catalog. Each printed map shows the stars, the constellation lines, and the Moon. Planets are not shown, and constellation names are not printed on the map itself. Instead, every order includes a Constellation Legend eBook that labels and explains the constellations in your sky. Your map can be made as a museum-grade print, a framed print, a canvas, a gold or silver foil print, or a glow-in-the-dark print, or laser-engraved as star map jewellery. A digital download is also available.

Are custom star maps accurate?

Yes. Every custom star map from The Night Sky is calculated from real astronomical data, not drawn as a decorative pattern. Star positions come from the European Space Agency's Hipparcos catalog, a dataset of over 118,000 stars measured by ESA's dedicated astrometry satellite. When you enter a date, time, and location, we work out which stars were above your horizon at that moment and where each one sat, then draw the constellation lines between them. You can check the result yourself. Enter the same date, time, and place into the Sky & Telescope interactive sky chart or the free Stellarium planetarium software, and the constellations should appear in the same positions as on your map. If you are comparing services before you order, our guide on how to choose a custom star map company explains what to look for, including where each company's star data comes from.

What data do you use for star maps?

We use the European Space Agency's Hipparcos catalog for every star on our maps. Hipparcos was an ESA satellite launched specifically to measure the positions, distances, and brightness of stars with high precision, and its catalog is used by professional astronomers. Our software takes the date, time, and location you enter and plots each star as it appeared from that point on Earth. The map shows the whole dome of the sky: the edge of the circle is your horizon and the center is the point directly overhead, with north at the top. Constellation lines are drawn between the stars, and the Moon is placed where it was at that moment. Planets are not shown. If you don't know the exact time, we render the sky at 10 PM local time. The science behind our maps explains the method and how to cross-check any map in Stellarium.

What sizes are available?

Custom star map prints come in seven sizes: 12x12, 12x16, 16x16, 18x24, 20x20, 20x28, and 24x32 inches. The 12x16 is our most popular gift size, and the 18x24 and 20x28 are the best-selling statement pieces for a living room or bedroom wall. The 12x12 suits a shelf or bedside table. Canvas, gold and silver foil, and glow-in-the-dark prints come in all the same sizes as the classic print, so you can pick the finish first and the size second. Museum-grade prints come in classic black or midnight blue palettes, and you can order your map unframed or as a framed print. If you'd rather print it yourself, a digital download is available too. For something to wear, star map jewellery comes as pendants, bracelets, charms, and lockets. See every size and finish side by side on our star map posters page.

How long does delivery take?

Most US orders arrive within a week. Every custom star map is made to order, and most US print orders arrive in 5 to 7 business days, while most US jewellery orders arrive in 4 to 6 business days. Most UK orders arrive in 4 to 5 business days. Outside the US and UK, delivery time depends on the product and the destination. Standard shipping is free on every product, and express shipping is available at checkout if you need your order sooner. You'll receive a tracking number as soon as your order ships, so you can follow it all the way to the door. If you're ordering for a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, allow a few extra days during the busy holiday season. If you need something right away, the digital download link is delivered immediately after purchase. For current estimates by product and country, see our shipping times guide.

Can I preview my star map before ordering?

Yes. Our design tool shows a live preview of your custom star map as you build it, so you can see exactly what you will receive before you place your order. Enter your date, time, and location, and the preview draws the sky for that moment, with the stars, constellation lines, and Moon in their calculated positions. You can then choose your colour palette, add names, a date, coordinates, or a personal message, and pick your format and size. The preview updates with every change, so there is no guesswork about layout, spelling, or wording, and what you see is what you get. If you don't know the exact time, the map defaults to 10 PM local time. Once your order is placed, you also receive the Constellation Legend eBook, which names every constellation on your map. To understand how the sky in your preview is calculated, see the science behind our maps.

What is the best paper for a star map print?

For a star map that needs to last, choose a heavyweight archival fine art paper printed with pigment inks rather than thin poster paper. Our museum-grade star maps are printed on 200gsm enhanced matte fine art paper using giclée printing with archival pigment inks, the same process used by galleries and museums. The matte surface keeps fine star detail and deep night-sky colours crisp without glare, which matters for a design built from thousands of small points of light. Every print is backed by our print partner's 100+ year colour guarantee, so the colours are made to last for generations. Our paper comes from FSC-approved forests. If you want a different look, our gold and silver foil prints use metallic foil on heavyweight 350gsm art paper, and our canvas prints use a 12-colour giclée process on artist-grade canvas. You can compare every finish and size on our star map posters page.

Is a custom star map a good gift?

Yes. A custom star map is one of the most personal gifts you can give, because it records a moment that belongs only to you and the person receiving it: the night you met, your wedding night, the night a child was born, or a sky you want to remember for someone you have lost. No two maps are alike, since each one is calculated for its own date, time, and place. You can add names, a date, coordinates, or a short message, then choose a museum-grade print, canvas, gold or silver foil, glow-in-the-dark print, or engraved jewellery. Every order includes the Constellation Legend eBook, so the recipient can learn the constellations in their own sky. Standard shipping is free, and if you're not happy you can return it within 30 days of delivery. Across 41,976 reviews, many customers describe it as "the best gift I've ever given."