A star map is a picture of the sky exactly as it looked from one place, on one date and time. Every star is calculated and plotted from real astronomical data, so it shows the sky exactly as it was for your chosen details.
What does a star map show?
- The stars above the chosen place, at the chosen date and time, each in its true position.
- Constellation lines, if selected, linking the stars into shapes such as Orion and the Plough.
- The Milky Way behind the stars, on designs that include it.
- Text underneath: the place, the date and a short message.
The circle is the whole sky visible that night. The centre is the point straight overhead and the edge is the horizon all the way round.
Why do the place and time matter?
The sky turns a full circle roughly once a day, so a few hours changes which stars are overhead. Location matters too. From the UK the Plough never sets and the Southern Cross never rises. From Sydney it is the other way round.
So a few hours or a few miles change the map. If the exact time isn't known, any time that evening still gives that night's sky.
Is a star map the same as a star chart?
They're often used to mean the same thing. "Star chart" is the older word for any map of the stars. It is also used for astrology birth charts, which show which star signs the planets were in, not the view overhead. There is more on that in what a star chart is.
Are star maps accurate?
Ours are. The positions are calculated from real star catalogues for the exact date and coordinates, the same way planetarium software works. The detail is in are star maps accurate?
How do you read a star map?
Hold it above your head. East and west look swapped compared with a road map, because you are looking up at the sky, not down at the ground. The full guide is how to read a star map.
What are star maps given for?
A night worth remembering: the night a couple met, a wedding, an engagement or a new baby. See the anniversary star map and gifts from the day you were born.
How do you make one?
Choose a style, enter the place, date and time, check the live preview, then pick a size. Our guide on how to create your star map shows each step.
Ready to capture your special moment?
Create Your Star Map →