07 / Reference
What is a star chart?
A star chart (also called a star map, or a night sky poster once it is printed) is a personalized map of the night sky that captures the exact arrangement of stars and constellations from a specific time and place. It’s a beautiful way to commemorate life’s significant moments—whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, first date, or the night sky when you were born.
Each star poster is astronomically accurate, using real celestial data to plot the position of stars, constellations, and planets visible from your chosen location and moment in time. The charts are computed from the European Space Agency’s Hipparcos catalogue by software written by an astronomy PhD candidate. Want to learn more? Read our guide on how to read a star chart.
Our custom star maps are not just beautiful pieces of art—they’re windows to the past that allow you to hold a moment frozen in time, immortalizing the night sky exactly as it appeared during your most cherished memories. Whether you’re looking for a unique star chart gift, a thoughtful anniversary present, or a way to celebrate a new baby, a personalized star map is a timeless choice. Our star map gift guide helps you pick the night and the words.
The same chart comes three ways: a framed star map that arrives ready to hang, a star map poster to frame yourself, or a star map digital download in your inbox within minutes. Everything you can change, from the names to the colours, is laid out on the personalized star chart page.
